More Canadian students must go abroad

University leaders gather in Calgary to discuss strategies for globally mobile students, research results on value of international study

CALGARY – More than 30 Canadian university presidents and vice-presidents, as well as government, student and business leaders are gathering at Mount Royal University in Calgary, December 1-2 for the “Know Canada, Know the World” workshop to discuss strategies to enable more students to be globally mobile, given the benefits to graduates, Canadian business and Canada’s diplomatic and trade relations abroad.

As the workshop gets underway on December 1, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada will release the findings of its new employers’ survey that show the importance of graduates’ global experiences to improving the competitiveness of Canadian companies.

Currently, only 3.1 percent of Canadian university students have an international learning experience annually. University study-abroad programs help young Canadians develop the international competencies that allow them to navigate new and larger worlds, build the soft skills that help them transition to rewarding careers and equip them for success in today’s dynamic global knowledge economy.

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Interview opportunities are available with:

• Christine Tausig Ford, vice president and chief operating officer of AUCC
• David Docherty, president of Mount Royal University
• Ralph Nilson, president of Vancouver Island University