Page 29 - StudyTravel Magazine July 2014 Issue

SPeCial rePort PoST-STUDy WoRK

on this would certainly help secure the country enjoys broad political consensus. nonetheless, Canada’s consistent
uK’s attractiveness to talented international “Politically, there is definitely support message and coherent national branding is
students.” She added, “the option of time- at federal, provincial and municipal paying dividends, says Humphries. Where
limited PSW is also a valuable incentive to level,” says jennifer Humphries, vice once only around 30 per cent of students
prospective students to choose to study President, Membership, Public Policy and indicated that Canada was their first
in the uK, even if many do not take it Communications at the Canadian Bureau choice destination, the rate is now around
up.” james Pitman, Managing director, for international education www.cbie. 70 per cent. Moreover, 37 per cent of
Higher education uK and europe at Study ca (CBie). “there are cases in Canada survey respondents rated opportunities for
group www.studygroup.com, said the where there is a demographic deficit of permanent residence as “essential”, more
government’s own 2011 consultation on young graduates, and the work graduate than was recorded for any other factor.
the former tier 1 post-study visa route programme is critical there,” she says,
revealed only six per cent of respondents highlighting collaboration between Global competition
thought it should have been closed. government, educators and communities. While australia’s recent return to growth
despite the government’s bullishness a CBie survey of over 1,500 in international student
– the Spokesperson pointed to increases international students in the 2013 A enrolments (see news) may
from China, Malaysia and Hong Kong – World of Learning report revealed some be attributable to many
many commentators agree policy has eye-catching attitudes: of the students factors, the Knight
impacted recruitment. “the indian and that planned to work after graduation, review-led
Pakistani markets have been significantly 46 per cent said they intended to extension
affected,” says Pitman. in an agent survey migrate permanently to Canada, while of 
for this article, over half said the removal of a further 25 per cent wished to stay for
PSW had weakened demand for the uK. at least three years. Humphries said
such indicators have gradually risen over
The role of india recent years, indeed the 27,341 post-
the world’s second largest source of graduate work permits issued in 2012
international students, india, is considered was a 151 per cent increase since 2007.
sensitive to visa policy settings, and Canada’s offer has become progressively
dr Paul Chellakumar, Patron of the more favourable, she explains. “Changes
association of accredited advisors on in policy regimes and the way we
overseas education www.aaaoe.org promote them have made a difference.
(aaaoe), says PSW played a major role it has also made a difference in how
in the uK gaining indian market share; its upfront students are when expressing
removal is responsible now for losses. intentions. the urging is in favour of
Chellakumar says study abroad was internationals looking to immigrate.”
once the preserve of privileged groups nonetheless, despite the intentions,
but increased due to government policies the CBie report expressed disappointment
such as bank loans, scholarships and with the relatively low levels of permanent
liberalisation in foreign exchange. “as such, migration. in 2010, the number of
it is very important for indian students to international students who transitioned to
have a chance to work after graduation to permanent residency declined to 8,667, a
at least repay the loan.” indeed, the House 17 per cent drop since 2007. Meanwhile,
of lords report alluded to the self-funded the Canadian experience Class (CeC)
status of many indian students and the permanent migration stream processed
desire to repay loans while gaining valuable 4,000 successful applicants in 2010, well
work experience. Manoj vashisht at array below the target level, although Humphries
globe www.arrayglobe.com agency expects an increase over subsequent years
explains, “it is one of the most important when data is finally released.
basis from which students from india Something of an irony is that while
decide their choice of study destination,” Canada has arguably the most generous
adding 90 per cent of clients are looking for post-study work arrangements, educators
during and post-study work opportunities. and agents are forbidden from actually
Moreover, the handling of the removal, providing immigration advice. “it is a bit
with students “stranded” half-way through of a challenge,” concedes Humphries.
courses without the recourse to PSW as “We want to provide a
expected, led to negative press reaction. service, not to set up
“the uK government has thus killed the roadblocks,” adding
duck yielding golden eggs,” Chellakumar CBie is working
laments, adding indian students are now on a number
more aware of rights, and are turning to of tracks
australia, Canada and the uSa. to clarify
regulations
Canada courts and ease
in contrast, Canada would appear to be technical
benefitting from a relatively liberal regime support.
of a post-study work permit equivalent
to the length of the course, up to three
years and clear migration possibilities
for international students. Moreover, the