4 minute read
International Student Enrolment
WHY INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION?
» Contributes to Assiniboine growth » Contributes to population, immigration and labour market development strategies of Manitoba and Canada » Contributes to enrolment and sustainability of programsat Assiniboine » Can assist in program innovation and faculty development » Contributes cultural diversity and international perspectives to student experience » Contributes opportunity to develop cross cultural competencies and instruction
700
600
500
400 INTERNATIONAL ENROLMENT*
502 587 668
499 678 India
China
Nigeria TOP 5 COUNTRIES
6%
5%
300
Hong Kong 3%
200
100
Bangladesh 2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
0
2017 - 181 2018 - 191 2019 - 201 2020 - 211 2021 - 22
¹Data for 2017-18 to 2020-21 as reported in the 2020-21 Academic Report. * Unduplicated headcount.
Assiniboine Community College officially opened the doors to its newest space at the Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon. The naming of this area comes in recognition of Ms. Diane Shamray, a retired senior administrator who made significant contributions to International Education at the college.
The Diane Shamray International Education Centre is a 2,130-squarefoot integrated space that includes a classroom that serves as the central hub for the college’s English as a Second Language programming and preparatory courses from across the college’s post-secondary programs. The Centre is also home to Assiniboine International staff, who work in roles dedicated to welcoming and supporting international students through to graduation.
Shamray began her career at Assiniboine in 1993, then as Chair of Health and Human Services. Under her leadership, the college grew its Practical Nursing program from one that was only half-full in enrolment to what is now the college’s largest single program of study. Shamray later became Vice President, Enterprise and led the activities and operations of contract and community-based training, Continuing Studies, Adult Collegiate, and the college’s Parkland campus.
Towards the end of her career at Assiniboine, Shamray spearheaded international activities after chairing the college’s Global Citizenship Task Force. She was instrumental in shaping the college’s global efforts, and served as Vice President of International for a number of years, growing the international student population from a handful of students annually to over 600 students in 2020 when she retired.
ASSINIBOINE TUITIONFREE TRADES PROGRAMS DELIVER OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT BARRIERS
At Assiniboine Community College, two tuition-free programs provided Indigenous learners the skills they needed to work in in-demand fields in Manitoba, and give their respective industries qualified workers who are ready to hit the ground running.
The tuition-free Heavy Duty Technician program welcomed 12 Indigenous students in December 2021, funded through a partnership with Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology and Indigenous Youth Development Canada. Students in this program completed handson, in-school training for 28 weeks plus a 280-hour paid work placement, with tuition, textbooks, personal protective equipment, supplies and tools all covered at no cost.
The tuition-free Agriculture Equipment Operator program provided an opportunity to 15 students starting this past February, funded through a partnership with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP). The 13-week program began with a one-week preparatory course and finishes with an 80-hour paid work placement.
“Costs for training to acquire the skills and aptitudes required for entry into the job market are an ongoing barrier to employment,” said Assiniboine’s Director, Indigenous Education, Kris Desjarlais. “We are thrilled that students won’t have to worry about funding and can enjoy a hands-on learning environment. With this, learners are free to focus on their training.”
Both programs were chosen specifically to address gaps in their respective industries.
The students learned the safe work practices and operational skills necessary to manage multiple enterprises found on farm operations across the country, Hack said.
“They’ll have a really good base for assisting employers with a farm operation,” Hack said. “After their two-week work placement where they get those real-life environmental skills on an operation, they’ll be job ready.” It’s also an important step in reconciliation, he said.
“Indigenous people were here first, and know the land better, so let’s try and get more Indigenous people back into working the land and into farming,” Hack said.
“You look at what farming is like now with sustainable development processes and sustainable farming, and those are all Indigenous teachings and how they worked the land years and years ago. We’re kind of getting back to that so I think it’s important to bring Indigenous people back into the conversation.”
The Heavy Duty Technician program is also in demand, said Assiniboine’s Chair of Mechanical Trades, Lloyd Carey, who has seen similar successful partnerships between Manitoba Hydro and First Nations communities.
Students who complete the program gain credit for their Level 1 common core apprenticeship accreditation, allowing them to branch out even further into Heavy Duty Equipment, Agricultural Equipment or Truck and Transport specializations.
The job opportunities that come with program completion are also far-reaching.
“Giving someone an education is one thing, but giving someone an education that allows them to get their hands in the work and get those real-life experiences in a certain industry or field is really valuable,” said Hack.
