February 23, 2011 - 1:30am
Noted economist Dr. Roslyn Kunin will provide an updated analysis of the economic impact of international students in BC in a presentation at Vancouver Island University Thursday, March 3.
The event, 6:30 to 8 pm in the Student Services Building (200), Room 203, is part of the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE) Speaker Series. It is free and open to the public. To register for this event, visit www.bccie.bc.ca/educators/professional-development before Wednesday, March 2.
International education has become a key contributor to BC’s economy. British Columbia is in the fortunate position of being one of the leading destinations for international students in Canada.
While international students are a critical contributor to the social and cultural wellbeing of our province, international student tuition, spending in local communities and travel result in an estimated $2 billion revenue gain for British Columbia.
“Dr. Kunin will offer a broad framework for understanding this impact and will highlight the economic contributions of internationalization to smaller cities and communities in BC,” said Trevor Corkum, Director, Research and Communications for BCCIE.
Graham Pike, Dean of International Education, said VIU is pleased to co-host the presentation with BCCIE.
“We know that international students have a significant impact economically, socially and culturally on the communities where they live while studying in British Columbia,” Pike said. “This event will help us develop strategies to work together with our community partners to maximize the benefits of international students.”
Pike noted that for some communities, benefits will accrue not only from students while they are learning, but from educated, skilled and connected students who choose to make their permanent home in the community where they have studied.
“Universities know they need to work closely with communities and develop mutually beneficial long term plans,” Pike said.
“Dr. Kunin is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker who we are very proud to have here in Nanaimo speaking about her recent research. Central Vancouver Island is a perfect location for this presentation as we are a region where the number of international students has been steadily increasing and is projected to continue to grow.”
Kunin has been a Director of the Business Development Bank of Canada, chair of the Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia and member of the National Statistics Council of Canada. She has also served as the Chair of the Vancouver Stock Exchange, Governor of the University of British Columbia and has served the community as Chair of the Vancouver Crisis Centre, and as Vice President of the YWCA. In her career, Dr. Kunin has worked in the private sector, taught at several Canadian universities (including Simon Fraser and UBC) and served 20 years as Regional Economist for the federal government in BC.
The BCCIE Speaker Series creates a forum for dialogue among education institutions, faculty, students, and local communities regarding the benefits of international education.
For information about future BCCIE events, visit:
www.bccie.bc.ca.
For information about Roslyn Kunin and Associates including a link to the firm’s 2009 report Economic Impact of International Education in Canada presented to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada:
http://www.rkunin.com/
Tags: In the Community
