Thank you to our colleagues at Manitoba Council for International Education and the Red River College Polytechnic, for their leadership and contribution to advancing international education in the province.
About This Event
In May, the Manitoba Council for International Education will host the 2024 CBIE Western Regional Meeting at the Red River College Polytechnic. This event will focus on the future of international education through a series of breakout sessions, roundtables and networking activities.
The CBIE Western Regional Meeting is an annual meeting of international education practitioners and is an opportunity to share knowledge, share resources and keep abreast of immigration and other changes in the sector. This event also serves as an annual networking event for those involved in international education in the Western region and is a precursor to the national conference each November.
Why Attend This Event?
- Network with international education professionals
- Hear from thought-leaders on important IE topics
- Participate in Q&A with sector stakeholders from Canada and the world
Who Will Be There?
- International education practitioners and leaders from K-12 schools, colleges, institutes and universities
- Corporate partners and association colleagues
Registration
Cost: $100 per person
The cost includes the networking event on May 15.
Program
The program at a glance is subject to change.
08:00 – 08:45: Registration + Breakfast
08:45 – 09:00: Opening Remarks
Moderated by Karen Dalkie, Vice President, Development and Partnerships at the Canadian Bureau for International Education, this session will offer perspectives from institutional leaders about the recent policy changes announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) in January 2024. Together, they will discuss how to ensure the success of individual international students and enable Canada to benefit from their training and skills, securing Canada’s long-term position as a top destination for international education.
This session has been approved by CICC for 1.5 hours of CPD.
10:30 – 10:45: Health Break
This session will explore the new complexities of international student recruitment in Canada and provide insights on how recruiters can navigate these challenges effectively. The presentation will examine emerging global trends, discuss Canada’s reputation as an education destination, and offer practical approaches to differentiate individual institutions in a competitive market. Key topics include strategies for engaging with prospective students, boosting study permit conversion rates, and maintaining diversity within the international student body. Additionally, the session will offer data-driven insights and best practices to integrate into your own institution’s approach to recruitment.
Presenter:
- Mike Henniger, Chief Executive Officer, Illume Student Advisory Services
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch + Networking
To all international educators who facilitate international partnerships or relations, please join one of CBIE’s International Relations Professional Learning Community’s (IR-PLC) steering committee members from Manitoba if you are interested in learning more about IR-PLC.
In this session, we will discuss how you can be proactive on potential issues before they become media stories. As well as answer the questions of who should speak on behalf of your institution, when, and how to prepare them properly. Bring your questions for the Q&A session following the presentation.
Presenter:
- Eleanor Coopsammy, Director, Media Relations and Issues Management, University of Manitoba
CBIE will present key findings from a national data collection exercise on learning abroad that was held in the spring of 2023. This initiative aimed to deepen understanding of the Canadian outbound mobility landscape and surface trends to inform evidence-based decision-making and foster an inclusive and supportive ecosystem for future learning abroad programming. The presentation will offer insights from data contributed by post-secondary institutions across Canada. To contextualize the lived experience, data collected from students and alumni learning abroad participants will also be presented.
Presenter:
- Melissa Toupin-Laforge, Associate Director, Research and Learning, Canadian Bureau for International Education
14:45 – 15:00: Health Break
In this session, speakers will showcase global policy updates, student demand trends across Canada with a focus on Manitoba, and IDP regional feedback on IRCC policy announcements. The session will also discuss the latest student survey results, revealing changing perceptions of Canada as a destination country following the recent policy changes.
Presenter:
- Prem Modha, Associate Head of Partnerships, Special Projects, Canada
16:15 – 18:30: Networking Event
08:00 – 09:00: Breakfast
This session will show participants how to use the Statistics Canada website to find data that will help them understand the labour markets in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Whether you’re seeking insights into employment trends, industry demands, or demographic shifts, this workshop equips Designated Learning Institutions with the skills to navigate the Statistics Canada platform effectively.
Presenter:
- Darren Lezubski, Consulting Analyst, Statistics Canada – Statistical Information Services
10:15 – 10:30: Health Break
Newcomers often face a higher barrier when they enter the job market in Canada in general. Two professionals will share their journey, challenges, and tips with the audience. This is an informal meeting, and participants are invited to join and share their knowledge and experiences with peers (tips include getting involved with CBIE!).
Presenters:
- Hailey Gajadhar, Lead Student Recruitment Officer, Student Affairs, University of Manitoba
- Kennis Fung, International Partnership Officer, Research and International, University of Manitoba
11:45 – 13:00: Closing Remarks + Lunch
Accommodations
University of Winnipeg Hostel (McFeetors Hall Residence)
370 Langside Street, Winnipeg
Rates are available here.
How to reserve:
Complete booking form.
[email protected]
204-789-1486
Mere Hotel
333 Waterfront Dr, Winnipeg
How to reserve:
855-799-1109
Website
Inn at the Forks
75 Forks Market Road Winnipeg
How to reserve:
877-377-4100
Website
Fairmont Hotel
2 Lombard Place, Winnipeg
How to reserve:
866-540-4466
Website
[email protected]
Thank You to Our Organizing Committee
Alex Coutu, St. James-Assinoboia School Division
Alexandra Humphries, St. James-Assinoboia School Division
Anna Lee, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
Ashley Dunlop, University of Winnipeg
Bryan Meng, Red River College Polytechnic
Cheryl Prokopanko, Manitoba Council for International Education
Georgine Van de Mosselear, Booth University College
Eddy Lau, Red River College Polytechnic
Ismail Hussein, Providence University College
Marlo Hudson, International College of Manitoba
Meagan Halowaty-Essar, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
Michelle Romuld, University of Manitoba
Robert Daudet, International College of Manitoba
Sophie Jodouin, Canadian Bureau for International Education