Canadian universities gear up for growth in applications from immigrant students
by Mary Jones - January 7, 2010
Canada, January 7: The number of immigrant student applications in Canadian universities is likely to increase as the last date for applying comes closer, reveals Statistics Canada.
This is true for Canadian universities located in and around the city of Toronto. The reason for this rush of immigrant student applications is because out of 10 new immigrants, almost four settle in the city of Toronto. Hence, as the children of immigrants finish their high schooling, they will increase the demand for extra spots in the Canadian universities.
Hence, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo, which are situated just outside the city of Toronto, are gearing up for a sudden rush of student applications.
The trend of increased demand for university spots will continue for at least two to three years, stated Ken Lavigne from the University of Waterloo. And most of the student applications will be made for various universities in Toronto, most probably, due to the location of such universities, asserted associate registrar of admissions, Wilfrid Laurier, Lois Wood.
Although, the exact numbers of the expected student applications for Canadian universities were not provided, however, both the experts agreed that this sudden increase in the demand for Canadian universities spots could be attributed to the increasing number of immigrants in Canada over the past 20 years, with most choosing Toronto as their place of settlement.
Also, majority of immigrants in Canada are either from India or from China and nearly one-third of immigrants to Canada are from these countries. As per the latest statistics, nearly 65 percent of immigrants’ children from China and India move to pursue professional work once they finish their university education. Meanwhile, the percentage of children of Canadian-born parents finishing their university education is just 28 percent.
As the economy gives added value to the thinking skills and technical knowledge, this trend of increased university enrolments has continued since the year 2003.
Applications for high school students looking for a spot at a university in Ontario are due on January 13.
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