Bilateral ties yield benefits for students

Chinese students can now choose from more education options in Canada thanks to deeper collaborations between both nations in this area, said Ryan Baerg, deputy consul general at the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai, during the China Education Expo.

“Top universities used to be the main choice for many Chinese students, but now they are also enrolling in colleges, technical training schools, elementary and high schools, and language programs,” said Baerg.

“Canada is also offering more student and teacher exchanges, collaborations on research, leadership trainings and scholarship exchange programs for Chinese students,” he added. Canada is the Country of Honor at this year’s China Education Expo held from Oct 28 to 29 in Shanghai.

Baerg said that education has always been a pillar in the bilateral ties between China and Canada, pointing out that the number of engagements between both nations has increased since the signing of the first memorandum of understanding on bilateral education in September 2016. The signing was witnessed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

There are presently more than 70 Canadian schools in China offering curriculums for grade 10 to 12 and high school diplomas that are recognized by authorities in both countries.

Last year, the Canadian Embassy launched a pilot program that streamlines the education permit application process for students from Canadian schools in China who wish to complete their high school years in Canada.

According to Baerg, the number of Chinese students studying in Canada has been rapidly rising. As of 2016, there were more than 132,000 Chinese in Canada, accounting for about a third of the international student population.

“Last year, the 85,000 study permits issued and renewed to Chinese students was a new record. It was 16 percent higher than in 2015,” said Baerg.

Tony Zeng, chief representative at the China Representative Office at York University in Canada, said that one of the country’s main selling points to international students is its high quality education system and affordable education costs.

“Though the number of international students is rising quickly and the education sector is developing just as rapidly, the rate of growth of tuition fees has been relatively slow,” said Zeng.

Zhang Yueyun, the mother of a 17-year-old girl who is planning to send her daughter to Canada, cited the country’s vibrant multicultural society as another factor.

“Cost-effective education in Canada is certainly attractive, but I think many parents are more concerned about their children getting along with the local students, experiencing the local culture and participating in activities in a safe and pleasant university,” she said.