Article contentSocial barriersArticle contentFalak said the reduced diversity has created a social barrier, making classes quieter and less collaborative. Students now tend to stay within familiar groups, which limits the kind of peer learning that once helped many international students adapt.Article contentFalak said fewer students also affects how instructors structure their courses, with smaller labs meaning fewer opportunities for group assignments or collaborative projects.Article content“From an instructor side as well, we do see the ratio does impact the statement we receive, and also the curriculum that we structure accordingly for the students,” she said.Article contentFewer grad studentsArticle contentFor some programs, the decline is even more visible. Aadesh Nunkoo, a master’s student in statistics from Mauritius, told The Guardian that his department has seen the number of international graduate students drop.Article contentArticle content“We have fewer grad students now. I think for this fall semester, we only have two,” he said. “When I first came, we had like five.”Article content Aadesh Nunkoo, a master’s student in statistics from Mauritius, told The Guardian that his department has seen the number of new international graduate students drop. He believes the change is linked to stricter visa limits and increased financial requirements for incoming students by IRCC. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentNunkoo said that while his program has always been small, it is unusual to have no international students joining this year.Article content“Even for undergrad, I have not seen any first-year students from Mauritius,” he said. “So there might be like one or two, as compared to last year where we had like 10 to 15.”Article contentHe believes the change is linked to stricter visa limits and increased financial requirements for incoming students.Article contentDomestic growthArticle contentNaterer said the university is aware of these concerns and continues to work closely with the UPEI student union to address them.Article content“Whenever student concerns are brought forward, we address them as soon as we possibly can,” he said. “It is unfortunate that we have this declining international enrolment because international students add so much diversity and talent and perspectives to the classroom.”Article contentArticle content Greg Naterer, UPEI’s vice-president of academic and research, said the university expected the decrease as part of a nationwide trend caused by a federal two-year cap on study permits and tighter admission processes. ContributedArticle contentWhile international enrolment is down, Naterer said there has been some growth in domestic recruitment.Article content“There has been an increase in the domestic enrolment for the university, approximately three per cent,” he said. “That’s positive news amidst the challenge of international student decline.”Article content‘Disproportionately hurt’Article contentIn a news release, the AAU said that when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced its cap on international study permits in January 2024, the goal was to reduce total international student enrolment by 35 per cent. Since the cap was implemented, international student numbers across Atlantic universities have declined by 36 per cent, or approximately 9,425 fewer students.Article content“Atlantic Canada and our universities have been disproportionately hurt by the federal government’s ‘cap’ placed on international students aspiring to pursue higher education in our region,” said AAU president Paul Mazerolle, who is president of the University of New Brunswick, in the news release.Article contentThe AAU does not have numbers for diploma programs.Article contentHolland College told The Guardian its enrolment numbers are not yet finalized but will be before its board meets at the end of the month.Article contentArticle contentStay informed: Don’t miss the news you need to know. Sign up for our newsletter today.Article contentArticle contentVivian Ulinwa is a reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on X @vivian_ulinwa.Article content
International enrolment numbers drop at UPEI by 14.2 per cent
