Post-Secondary International Education Strategy

50% more Saskatchewan students studying and working abroad by 2020.

By studying abroad, Saskatchewan students will further enhance their knowledge and better understand the world's cultural, economic and political diversity. At the same time, they will also gain skills and experience, including languages, which benefit the provincial economy and trade. International experience will increase students' employability after graduation as they will acquire knowledge and engage in international relationships that can advance innovation, build a stronger sense of global citizenship and connect Saskatchewan to the world.

Actions:

• Create new study abroad opportunities for top Saskatchewan students and attract more exceptional international students and scholars through programs like Mitacs Globalink.
• Launch an International Future Scholarship for up to 20 people annually to take business-focused studies in international priority markets and return to Saskatchewan for five years after completion.
• Dedicate funding through the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS) for international education studies.
• Work with the post-secondary education sector to increase the study of international languages by Saskatchewan students.
• Work with employers and post-secondary educational institutions to better connect the skills students gain from international education experience to employment opportunities.
• Support the expansion of post-secondary co-op and career development opportunities for domestic and international students.

75% more international post-secondary students by 2020.

The significant contribution that post-secondary international students make to Saskatchewan cannot be over-emphasized. International students bring a new perspective to our post-secondary educational institutions, which help domestic students develop into global citizens. International students become important members of our communities and some decide to stay and build a future in Saskatchewan. For international students who return home, they become excellent ambassadors for the province. Overall, internationalization will increase the profile of the province globally, helping secure Saskatchewan's future competitiveness and sustainability.

Actions:

• Provide support and assistance to post-secondary educational institutions designated for the International Student Program.
• Improve the integration of international students in Saskatchewan by ensuring that they and their families have access to the supports they need such as language, settlement and employment.
• Develop a provincial marketing strategy to promote Saskatchewan's education advantage abroad, especially our research strengths.
• Participate in regular missions with the post-secondary education sector to Saskatchewan's priority markets to enhance recruitment efforts and study abroad opportunities.
• Establish a network of Saskatchewan ambassadors to promote the province to prospective students abroad and foster ties to our post-secondary education institutions.
  • Clarify the multiple provincial and federal immigration pathways for international students to live and work in Saskatchewan.
  • Support the expansion of post-secondary co-op and career development opportunities for domestic and international students.
  • Work with post-secondary institutions, career centres and employers to increase awareness of employment opportunities and supports for international students.

Increase the number and value of international research partnerships

The well-being of Saskatchewan people is increasingly dependent on its competitiveness in the global knowledge-based society. International research partnerships profile Saskatchewan's research excellence globally, which attract students, researchers and new investments.

Actions:

• Re-establish an International Education Council to facilitate collaboration between government, post-secondary educational institutions and industry.
• Support post-secondary educational institutions to increase international collaboration on their signature areas of research that are of key importance to Saskatchewan.
• Enhance post-secondary educational institutions' global reach through the development and implementation of a trans-national education framework (e.g. operation of overseas campuses).
• Work with provincial and federal governments and other international education organizations to profile the Saskatchewan brand.
• Attract new students, researchers and investments by connecting leading Saskatchewan research with international opportunities within priority markets.

The Post-Secondary International Education Strategy was developed with input from public and private post-secondary educational institutions, First Nations and Métis educational institutions, international student associations, Chambers of Commerce, the Saskatchewan-Asia Advisory Council, the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, the Canadian Bureau of International Education, and the Canadian International Council.