From the President's Desk

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Bruce Fawcett, Ph.D.

Though it is hard for me to believe, it has been 30 years since I graduated from Crandall! In many ways my years as a student seem so long ago, and yet I can also remember so many things vividly – especially the friends I made. Some of my more interesting friends were those who came to Crandall from another country. Their background was different from mine, their accents and expressions seemed a little unusual to me, but I learned a lot when I simply stopped and took the time to ask about their home and how they viewed this region of the world. International students enriched my Crandall education!

In recent months, the Board of Governors has approved the development of a strategy designed to increase the number of international students in the Crandall student body. The Board believes that there is much for our domestic students to learn from meeting and interacting with those who were born and raised outside of Canada. After all, education is not only about what you read and study; it is also about those you meet.

Some of our new international students may return home following graduation, but we suspect that many may wish to stay and make their home in Canada. Their presence here is much needed. With a shrinking and rapidly aging population in Atlantic Canada, we are having a difficult time covering the cost of our social programs. Our employment environment has changed drastically. Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, Halifax, and Charlottetown are all now at full employment.

No longer do we have too many workers - we now have too few!

Federally, provincially, and municipally, strategic plans related to strengthening the economy often focus on increasing the number of new Canadians.

In the coming years we will be working hard to contribute to a solution to this key dilemma facing our region. Through the establishment of new degree programs, partnerships with educational institutions overseas, and seeking out new geographic locations to send our recruiting teams, we hope to provide a pathway through which international students can study at Crandall, and upon graduation, apply to remain and work in Canada.

I invite you to pray as we seek to effectively serve not only those who live near, but also those who join us from far away. Thank you for your ongoing support and interest in the students we serve now, as well as those we will serve in the future.

Dr. Bruce Fawcett (‘88, left) has served as President and Vice-Chancellor since 2012. He is husband to Penny (‘94, right) and they are parents to Daniel (‘16) and Emily (‘19).