PROVINCIAL INTERNATIONALIZATION APPROACHES ALBERTA

1
PROVINCIAL INTERNATIONALIZATION APPROACHES
ALBERTA MANITOBA

• York University
• March 2006

2
Overview

• Canadian institutions have relatively long
  internationalization histories.
• Provincial governments have had varied
  involvement in internationalization but recently
  there has been an increased focus by a number of
  provinces.
• Two provinces have been selected for examination
  Alberta and Manitoba and their
  internationalization history, plans, programs and
  future directions will be explored.
• Finally, commentary will be provided on important
  roles that governments can play in concert with
  institutional internationalization efforts.

3
Manitoba - History

• In 1999, a new Director of International
  Education position was created which reported to
  Deputy Minister of Education but located within
  Trade.
• An International Education Branch was created in
  2001 after approval by Community Economic
  Development Committee of Cabinet and Treasury
  Board.
• Rationale for creation of Branch primarily the
  economic potential of international education.
• By 2002, Branch consisted of Director and
  Coordinator.
• In 2003, Branch moved to Intergovernmental
  Affairs and Trade but continues to serve 2
  departments of Education.

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Manitoba Current Objectives

• Increase the international and intercultural
  knowledge and skills of Manitobans.
• Maximize the benefits of international education
  to the Manitoba economy.
• Engage more schools/institutions, levels of
  education, fields of study/training, and regions
  of Manitoba in international education.
• Enhance international recognition of Manitoba as
  an excellent source of high quality, affordable
  education and training programs, services and
  products.
• Source http//www.gov.mb.ca/ie/public/intl_branc
  h.html

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Manitoba Current Activities

• Promotion system-wide marketing materials,
  outgoing missions and incoming delegations,
  education fairs, advertising and website.
• Capacity Building professional development, IE
  Incentive Loan Fund, resource information,
  research.
• Liaison Advocacy Manitoba schools,
  institutions, government ministries and MCIE,
  national committees, organizations and federal
  government.
• Policy Research GATS, CICIC, international
  student tuition fees, international education
  agreements, off-campus work permit program,
  statistics and reports.

6
Manitoba Future Directions

• Long-term strategy/plans
• Enhanced cooperation and collaboration
• Balance of educational and economic benefits
• Commitment to quality and sustainability
• Facilitation/coordination role

7
Alberta - History

• Relatively long history of involvement in
  international education (K-12 post-secondary).
• In 1997, government and institutions provided
  funding to support the establishment of the
  Alberta Centre for International Education
  (ACIE). ACIE ceased operation in 2003.
• In 2001, Alberta Learning launched its
  International Education Strategy a vision and
  series of objectives.
• In 2004, Alberta Learning initiated a review of
  education systems internationalization
  activities and developed an International
  Education Action Plan, launched in 2005.

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Alberta Internationalization Survey

• Recommendations for governmental involvement were
  to
• strengthen the promotion of the sector
• profile the importance and benefits of
  internationalization
• enhance coordination and collaboration
• strengthen the expertise of the sector and,
• implement a range of programs to support
  internationalization e.g. student awards
  programs.
• Source Profile of Albertas Post-Secondary
  International Education Sector

9
Alberta Vision

• Alberta will be internationally recognized as a
  leading provider of education and training and
  Albertans will be well-prepared for their role in
  the global marketplace and as global citizens.
• Source International Education An Action Plan
  for the Future Linking Alberta to the World,
  2005

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Alberta Objectives

• Albertans will have increased opportunities to
  develop international and intercultural
  knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes.
• International students will choose Alberta to
  meet their education and training needs.
• Alberta will be more competitive in supplying
  education products and services internationally.
• International education linkages within the
  province, nationally and internationally will be
  strengthened and enhanced to support a more
  comprehensive and coordinated strategy.
• Understanding and awareness of internationalizatio
  n will be strengthened.
• Source International Education An Action Plan
  for the Future Linking Alberta to the World,
  2005

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Alberta - Activities

• Promotion system-wide materials, website, AEC
  in Guadalajara, missions and delegations, fairs,
  Alberta Government offices overseas.
• Mobility international sister city/province
  student awards program, student learning awards
  program (new), international agreements.
• Capacity Building professional development,
  Internationalizing the Teaching and Learning
  Practice Awards and best practice booklet,
  international educator meetings.
• Liaison Advocacy provincial institutions and
  government ministries, national committees,
  organizations and federal government,
  presentations and materials.
• Policy off-campus work permit program, quality
  assurance of off-shore campuses.

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Future Directions

• Five year plan linked to Governments 20 year
  strategy
• Commitment to quality
• Program development and implementation
• Enhanced links with other provincial government
  ministries
• Comprehensive approach to internationalization

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Key Roles of Government in Supporting
Institutional Internationalization

• Facilitate coordination/collaboration
• Knowledge management
• Standards, policy
• System-wide profile
• Research
• Links to other provincial/federal government
  initiatives
• Program delivery 

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Key Elements in Sustainable Approaches

• A strategic approach based on research and
  consultation
• A range of integrated internationalization
  strategies.
• A collaborative leadership framework
• A commitment to quality
• Adequate resources
• Ongoing environmental scanning