A university representative (R) explaining the procedures to a prospective student and his parent at the Canadian Education Fair at The Rizqun International Hotel. Picture: BT/Zareena Amiruddin
REPRESENTATIVES of higher-education institutions in Canada were keen to espouse the benefits of the flexibility of the Canadian educational system in touting their courses on offer at the Canadian Education Fair yesterday at The Rizqun International Hotel.
The one-day fair gave potential students from Brunei an opportunity to speak to representatives from 12 education institutions from Canada.
Among the advantages of a Canadian education being promoted was the option of being able to change courses within the first two years of study.
Admissions Officer from Columbia College Theresa Bennett said that often students do not know specifically what they want to study when the finish school.
“When they start university they have an idea of what they are interested in, but sometimes when they come to a new environment, they’re exposed to this whole new world and they find something else that they’re really interested in,” she said.
“In that respect, Canadian universities are not as rigid as the British system, where you really need to decide what you want to study first because there is sometimes very little option in changing courses other than starting again the following year.”
Bennett explained that many students would be reluctant to waste their first year and would likely continue with their chosen courses even though they were not happy about them.
“The first two years of studies here are quite general, so the student can still change their focus and specialities later on,” said Bennett.
University of Calgary Admissions Officer Meagan Sackett cited the opportunity for work experience as another advantage to study in Canada. “After you gain your degree you can apply for a work permit for three years. Even before that you can work part-time during term time and full-time during the summer,” she explained.
Gary Henkelmann of Capilano University said that students can apply for a work permit even after completing a diploma course. “A lot of of students complete their diploma, work three years and then return to complete their degrees,” he said, adding that studying in Canada also gives students the opportunity to apply for permanent residency.
Obtaining residency in Canada offers a financial advantage to students as residents enjoy subsidised tuition fees. For example, the University of Calgary’s 2010 Graduate Admissions Guide states that international students pay about CAN$12,000 for a master’s programme, whilst Canadian students pay just over CAN$5,000.
Competitive tuition fees was also promoted as a plus point for one choosing to study in Canada. Most university representatives that spoke to The Brunei Times as well as Trade Commissioner at the High Commission of Canada in Brunei Peter Chen, said that studying in Canada is “value for money”.
“Universities in Canada are driven more by research funds than academic funds, meaning that they are not looking to get money off the students, they want quality students,” said Chen.
Furthermore, the universities are run by the government, which makes the tuition fees much lower than colleges in the US, for example, said Chen.
He also remarked on the availability of scholarships for international students, which can come in the form of a tuition fees reductions, right up to full scholarships. He directed students to visit www.scholarships.gc.ca, the Canadian government website for information on international scholarships.
Asked why students should study in Canada, at the top of the list was “quality”, Chen said. “If you study in Canada, you are getting a high quality education and it’s value for money,” he said.
“Getting an honours degree is very difficult in Canada, so much so your peers will give you a standing ovation when you receive it. That is how competitive and good a Canadian degree is.
Chen said that industries drive research and education in Canada, adding, “What you learn is what you practise in real life.”
“A degree needs to be recognised by the people who hire you otherwise it’s just a piece of paper,” said Chen.
He added that choosing a university should not be based on world rankings, but the potential student should look at the quality of research conducted by the university.
“A university that is number one today could be number 40 in 10 years. Don’t look at the lifestyle, look at the people that are going to teach you. Look up the papers they’ve written. Find someone you want to learn from,” he said.
“My opinion is, if you’re going to go overseas to study, pick the best or don’t go at all.”
The Brunei Times
Latest by Zareena Amiruddin:
- New Laws Governing Architects To Be Introduced Soon
- Basmida to launch English version of Islamic Da'wah Centre publication
- Return with more than a degree, scholars told
- Islamic Da'wah Centre to have new building
- 'Gain experience before starting own business'
