North West College will offer programming to 20 international students in the fall. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW and meadowlakeNOW Staff

Global opportunity

North West College to open programming to international students

Mar 2, 2022 | 3:30 PM

North West College will open programming in North Battleford and Meadow Lake to international students this year.

Starting in the fall, the college will host 20 international students in business and culinary programs with plans to double that number across multiple programs every year moving forward. North West is seeking to benefit from the popularity of education to support a provincial labor force that’s growing in demand. Canada has experienced a growing profile as a study destination over the last decade, with 642,480 international students pursuing a post-secondary education at all levels of study in 2019.

In a media release, college president Dr. Eli Ahlquist spoke to the benefit of this influx of new students. He noted the likelihood of gaining new members of a community when young people from other countries come to Canada for a college education.

“We need more people to strengthen our regional work force, and international students are an invaluable option because by being trained locally they are more likely to stay in the region” Ahlquist said. “The college has an important role to play in economic recovery and international student revenue is essential for our continued growth.”

Ahlquist was recently named president and CEO of North West College in January after Jay Notay left last summer. His term officially began on Feb. 1.

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Some of the ways international students positively impact economies are renting apartments, getting haircuts, and shopping. A recent study from Australia suggests that international students account for 46% of all visitor expenditure in an institution’s region.

There’s also a direct financial benefit for the college as well. Ahlquist said on-campus opportunities will be created from the move.

“This revenue will enable us to fund new initiatives that create opportunities for all students, including both domestic, First Nations and Metis students,” he said.

North West College board chair Byron Merkosky added that new students from across the world will bring benefits beyond revenue.

“International students bring an important cultural component that enhances all students’ learning, preparing them to engage in the modern, globally diverse economy” he said. “Our college is ready to invite international students into high-demand academic programs with services such as language training, health insurance, and other supports to ensure success.”

The two campuses in Meadow Lake and North Battleford feature more than 2,500 students. More information about North West College is available online.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW