Minister back from international recruitment trip to China

Sandra C. Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, recently returned from an international recruitment mission to China, along with representatives from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the College of the North Atlantic. Minister Kelly provided support on behalf of government to both institutions, along with Academy Canada, for improving existing co-operation agreements with post-secondary institutions in China and for entering into new arrangements.

"International education is big business all over the world and it is increasingly important that we are able to increase the number of international students coming to Newfoundland and Labrador to study," said Minister Kelly. "Recruitment of international students in the province will help the province maintain its current post-secondary education system despite changing demographics and has the potential to add $30 million annually to our economy."

While in China, government and the institutions made presentations to approximately 750 students interested in studying internationally. Minister Kelly spoke personally to the parents of some student currently pursuing their post-secondary studies in Newfoundland and Labrador. During the trip, College of the North Atlantic successfully entered into an agreement with Beijing Union University to deliver the college�s programs in China.

Along with providing support to the post-secondary institutions, government met with and provided direct access for the delegation to the vice-minister of Education for China and the Canadian Ambassador for China and received their endorsement and support for these projects.

"Developing relationships with the Ministry of Education and the Canadian Embassy in China is vital to the success of international recruitment and opens many doors for our post-secondary institutions," said Minister Kelly. "Many foreign countries, including China, value the support and endorsement of government. For example, the support of government was a key deciding factor in the awarding of the Qatar project to the College of the North Atlantic. The contact with the Canadian Embassy is also important in improving the efficiency of students obtaining visas to study in our province."

Globally, more than 1.5 million high school and post-secondary education students study abroad each year, contributing an estimated $28 billion to the economies of their host countries. Students will be recruited to Newfoundland and Labrador where capacity exists or where a program is expanding without compromising access by students in the province. International students who are recruited will pay the full financial cost of their studies here.

The trip was part of the International Education Strategy announced in December 2001 that will provide significant economic benefits for the province and is provided through the Canada-Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement (CEDA). China was identified as a key target area for international recruitment because of that country�s interest in developing and expanding its education sector and providing overseas educational opportunities for its students..

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-6573.

2002 09 30                                      12:10 p.m.