International Students and Provincial Government Strategies

During the past fifteen years, there has been large pressure on Canadian universities to internationalize. Internationalization involves an increased emphasis on understanding and integrating international populations and perspectives into the university. This means actively recruiting students from across the globe, as well as offering global experiences to domestic students in the form of exchanges, and travel abroad opportunities.

The global trend of Internationalization couldn’t have come at a better time for Newfoundland. With a recent surge in the economy, the province has a big problem in finding skilled workers. While the government sees International Students as a great
source of skilled labour and economic input, the university sees them as a great source of revenue and a perfect way to branch out the university. As a result, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has put efforts into attracting and retaining immigrants, while Memorial University has put huge efforts towards its recruiting International Students.

The Provincial Government have implemented several strategies and policies during the past 15 years, in an effort to attract newcomers, and retain immigrants (particularly International Students), to the province. These policies include:

• 2007 Provincial Immigration Strategy: This outlines the Government of Newfoundland’s strategy to increase immigration in Newfoundland. One of the target groups in this paper is International Students, arguing that they are the “best immigration pool” for Newfoundland.
• Provincial Nominee Program: This program is meant to speed up the immigration process for newcomers to Newfoundland. There is the option of applying as an International Graduate, if you have a job or job offer from an employer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• 2013 Population Growth Strategy: Along with a lack of skilled workers, Newfoundland and Labrador is faced with an aging population. The Population Growth Strategy outlines the need to retain recent immigrants and graduates in an effort to increase the population and spark the economy.

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