Objective 2: Promote Our Capabilities, Strengths & Advantages

Advance International Education

Advance Trade & Investment Develop Transportation Linkages Promote Immigration Promote Tourism Promote Energy, Science & Technology Advance International Education

The cornerstone of Manitoba's Action Strategy for Economic Growth is "Education First." Good education is the foundation for creating economic growth, social advancement, and democratic progress; it is the best means to reducing inequality. A well educated workforce readily adopts sophisticated technologies in the workplace and the level of direct foreign investment is higher in countries with an educated workforce. The gap between rich and poor is often the greatest source of conflict globally; study after study concludes that education is the key to reducing this gap. The internationalization of education can provide direct benefits to both developing and developed countries. It also has vast potential for promoting global understanding and cooperation.

Manitoba's educational institutions have been steadily developing their capacity to attract international students and secure training contracts. International education is a highly competitive but growing sector that contributes an estimated $4.5 billion to Canada's economy. The potential for further growth is significant, with robust annual increases in international student enrolments. The Province is committed to working with our partners in the educational community to fully develop this sector in Manitoba and realize significant educational and economic returns.

International learners enhance our social fabric, bring unique perspectives to our classrooms, and contribute to Manitoba's economic and community development. They add to our pool of skilled workers when they choose to remain in our province. When they return to their home countries, they serve as unofficial ambassadors for Manitoba, open doors for trade and cultural exchange, and become sources of future inward investment.

The Province has launched, in partnership with the Government of Canada, an innovative pilot project to permit international post-secondary students to work off-campus. Giving students the opportunity to earn while they learn and acquire valuable labour market experience makes Manitoba's post-secondary institutions more attractive. Manitoba was also the first province to include international students in the eligibility list for the Provincial Nominee Program. In so doing, we ensure that international graduates who wish to remain permanently in our province receive priority consideration.

Increasingly, other countries want their students to have access to our high quality education while remaining at home. To this end, the Province has entered into agreements authorizing schools overseas to offer our curriculum and award Manitoba high school diplomas upon successful completion of required courses.

There is also a demand from international clients for customized training and curricula developed by Manitoba educators. These programs incorporate the same quality and standards as those offered in the province but are adapted to a country or organization's specific culture and needs.

Manitobans can be reassured that sharing our educational expertise internationally supports rather than detracts from provincially-focused efforts. Safeguarding the quality and integrity of our education system and meeting the needs of Manitobans remain the Province's top educational priorities. We know that providing international students and clients with access to our educational system represents only one side of the international education coin. Manitoba students and educators must also have opportunities to gain the necessary international skills, understanding and experience to tackle today's global realities.

Individuals with international knowledge and intercultural skills can build bridges of understanding between cultures and nations. They develop contacts and networks around the world that not only benefit themselves but which can also benefit their communities. They are prepared to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by a global economy. To achieve these results, we need to ensure that Manitoba's students and educators can engage in international study and work and that critical international knowledge and intercultural skills can be obtained in our own classrooms.

Strategic Actions

The Government of Manitoba will:

• Develop a comprehensive International Education Strateg based on:
  
  

  • consultation and collaboration with Manitoba's educational institutions;

  • a "Whole-of-Government" approach to international education, which facilitates cross-departmental coordination in policy and services; and

  • enhancing Manitoba's international image as an excellent source of high-quality education and training programs, services and products.

• Work with educational institutions to increase their capacity to become involved in international education activities by providing supportive policies, information, resources and professional development opportunities. Specific actions include:

  • disbursing at least one loan per year from the International Education Incentive Loan Fund, for a project scheduled to achieve its stated goals within the three-year duration of the loan. A comprehensive review of the Fund will be completed by March 31, 2006 to ensure that it is as accessible and useful as possible. The Fund will be reviewed again in 2010;

  • undertaking three capacity-building initiatives on an annual basis in the form of professional development programs, market research, and/or the development and distribution of resource materials. The impact of these initiatives will be evaluated at the end of a two-year period through quantitative analysis of international education activities and qualitative surveys of institutions;

  • developing best practices, risk management and other "how to" guides for those involved in international education;

  • expanding and improving the tracking of data and statistics for the purposes of monitoring the success of international education efforts and providing key information upon which to base policy decisions;

  • working with Manitoba schools, post-secondary institutions and language institutes according to their individual levels of interest and preparedness for involvement in international education; and

  • assisting three to four institutions annually to move to the next level with particular attention to institutions located outside of Winnipeg.

• Promote Manitoba's education opportunities internationally and reinforce our emerging reputation as an innovative and responsive source of high quality education by:

  • identifying 2-3 markets in which to undertake comprehensive promotional strategies for a duration of three years. Promotional efforts are intended to increase the number of learners coming from targeted markets by at least 25 per cent, and result in at least one educational project undertaken by a Manitoba institution in a target market over the three-year period; and

  • assessing promotional materials annually, to identify gaps to be addressed over the coming year. Increase usage rates by 20 percent annually, in terms of Web-site hits and dissemination rates of brochures and booklets.

• Enhance Manitoba's overall capacity to succeed in international education by working with other government jurisdictions as well as international, national and provincial non-governmental organizations on collaborative and innovative projects. In other words, we will actively seek opportunities to combine capabilities and develop integrated programs, by:
  
  

  • representing the province on pan-Canadian boards and committees that address international education issues;

  • monitoring and guiding the Province's involvement in international agreements and/or projects that include an education component; and

  • working with Manitoba's ethno-cultural communities in international education undertakings that are of mutual interest and benefit.

For further details on the Province of Manitoba's plans in terms of international education initiatives please refer to the International Education Strategy which will be available in Fall 2005.

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