The Editor,
Re: “Chinese anger could hurt int’l partnerships” (The Tri-City News, Dec. 14)
As usual, whenever there is a debate on international education, it always is focused on being a revenue generator. Tuition fees are especially exorbitant for international students and recruitment of international students is now more about profit than it is about attracting international talent.
Although it addresses international education at the post-secondary level, the following from CUPE BC’s submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is still pertinent:
“On average, in Canada, international students pay three times the tuition fees of domestic students. For example, in 2017, the tuition and fees for two semesters at SFU was about $5,520 for domestic students, whereas for international students it was $22,930 — more than four times higher. At UBC in 2017, tuition and fees for two semesters at UBC was about $5,190 for domestic students, whereas for international students it was $36,588 — a shocking seven times higher.”
“This is completely unfair and increasingly will restrict access to education in B.C. to the global elite who can afford it. This seriously compromises B.C.’s ability to attract talent and to recruit students from a diversity of backgrounds.
“In the context of chronic underfunding, as international tuition becomes a more and more important revenue stream, it could result in post-secondary institutions prioritizing international recruitment over domestic student recruitment.”
Dave Ginter, President,
CUPE Local 561
