With the recent announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding study permit application caps, provincial attestation letter (PAL) processes and exemptions, and other measures affecting post-graduate work permits and spousal work permit eligibility, Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) are facing new challenges in international exchange and student recruitment.

 

In a session in Toronto on April 26, 2024, educational institutions, school boards, agencies, and education experts discussed the recent changes and their impact on international students from China, as well as their effect on various global economic and education sectors. Topics focused on student recruitment, institutional partnerships, student housing, and work opportunities. Updates to the three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for graduates of master’s degree programs, access for visitors/exchange students, and options for extending onshore and visiting research students were also covered. A networking session followed the panel discussions.

 

CCBC was pleased to have speakers from Canadian universities, colleges, high schools, language centres, and educational service companies, including:

 

• • Dr. Barry Wright, Dean, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
  • Scott Clerk, Associate Vice President, Educational Services, Northern Lights College
  • Allison Yokom, Senior Director, International Undergraduate Enrolment, Queen’s University
  • Nick Huang, Director, East and South East Asia Region, Seneca Polytechnic
  • Hugo Chen, Director of International Collaborations & Partnerships, York University
  • Andy Xia, OISE International Student Recruitment and Success Coordinator, University of Toronto
  • Kerrianne MacKenzie, Chief Operations Officer, Cape Breton Language Centre; Board Executive Member, EduNova Cooperative; Board member, Languages Canada
  • Paul Pu, Director, The Erindale Academy/Toronto Central Academy, President, Global Youth Challenge
  • Maureen Elizondo, Immigration Specialist
  • Joey Ye, Director, Digital & Client Success, RBC Newcomer & Cultural Client Segment, RBC
  • Lizi Peng, Students Manager, Eduplus International Education Ltd.

 

Tickets:
Free for CCBC Members; $50 + HST for non-members

 

Address: University of Toronto, Hart House, Music Room, 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto, Ontario

 

Agenda:
9:00 am – 9:30 am EDT: Registration
9:30 am – 10:00 am EDT: Welcome Remarks and Presentations
10:00 am – 10:30 am EDT: Panel Discussion I – School Partnership
10:30 am – 11:00 am EDT: Panel Discussion II – International Student Recruitment
11:00 am – 11:45 am EDT: Networking Session

 

About the Speakers:

 

Dr. Barry Wright
Dean, Goodman School of Business
Brock University

 

Barry Wright is the Dean in the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. Dr. Wright’s research centres primarily on leadership, teamwork, and enacting organizational change. An award-winning educator in the classroom, Dr. Wright is also sought out by senior executives to assist in the boardroom. He has provided a variety of training and research consultations to Canadian businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Dr. Wright is also an active volunteer in his community. He has served on several community, provincial, and national boards. Recently, Dr. Wright was seconded as CEO with the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games that took place in Niagara in August 2022. With a Ph.D. in Management from Queen’s University, Dr. Wright enjoys being married, being a father, coaching sports, a trip to the art gallery, traveling, and a good laugh.

 

 

Scott Clerk
Associate Vice President, Educational Services
Northern Lights College

 

Scott Clerk is the Associate Vice President, Educational Services, at Northern Lights College (NLC) in northern British Columbia. His portfolio includes Student Recruitment and Support Services, as well as Indigenous Education and International Education. He was previously the Director of International Education at NLC, as well as Manager, International Education, at Ontario Tech University. Prior to working in Higher Education, Mr. Clerk had roles in immigration and settlement services, and international cooperation. He holds an M.A. in Political Economy of Development from the University of Toronto, and a B.A. Honours in Global Development Studies and Economics from Queen’s University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.

 

 

Allison Yokom
Senior Director, International Undergraduate Enrolment
Queen’s University

 

As a Senior Director, International Undergraduate Enrolment for Queen’s University, Canada, Allison Yokom brings 20 years of experience in working in post-secondary education in Canada. A graduate of Lakehead University, she started her career in Student Affairs and has since gained a wealth of experience in areas including International Curriculums and Admission Standards; Recruitment; Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Indigeneity; Strategic Enrolment Management; Student Transition Programming; and Transfer and Mobility. Recognizing the merit and achievement of diverse students is her passion and because of this continues to streamline admission processes, evaluate, and clarify admission requirements, and advocate for equitable assessment of applicants. As the lead developer of the First-Generation Admission policy at Queen’s, she expanded outreach and access to PSE to students from underrepresented areas and equity deserving backgrounds. Ms. Yokom has personally completed thousands of recruitment events and activities around the world, reviewed tens of thousands of applications and helped to shape the student body at Queen’s today.

 

 

Nick Huang
Director, East and South East Asia Region
Seneca Polytechnic

 

Nick Huang leads a team of Business Development Managers that promotes Seneca Polytechnic in the East and South East Asia region. He is involved in many areas of international students’ recruitment, such as attending education fairs, hosting agencies partners events, and participating in conferences and seminars. He also partakes in visiting high schools, colleges, universities and language schools. The East and South East Asia team focuses on student recruitment, developing new recruitment markets, as well as identifying potential partner institutions to create joint educational partnerships with Seneca, such as exchange or study-abroad programs. In addition, Mr. Huang’s team develops the Seneca brand, promotes Seneca programs, and establishes short-term/contract-training opportunities for Seneca in the East and South East Asia region.

 

Mr. Huang was a professional classical musician in China before he immigrated to Canada in 1990. He plays bassoon and saxophone with various ensembles and orchestras in Toronto during his free time. He speaks English, Mandarin and Russian.

 

 

Hugo Chen
Director of International Collaborations & Partnerships
York University

 

Hugo Chen has devoted over 15 years to international education and administration, notably enhancing York University’s Faculty of Science’s global presence since becoming Director of International Collaborations & Partnerships in 2021. Spearheading international collaborations and student recruitment, he also served as Interim Assistant Dean from February to August 2023, solidifying the Faculty’s stature through adept leadership in student advising and enrollment strategies. With an MBA from Canada and a Bachelor’s degree from China, and fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, Mr. Chen expertly bridges international educational endeavours.

 

 

Andy Xia
OISE International Student Recruitment and Success Coordinator
University of Toronto

 

Andy Xia is currently the International Recruitment and Success Coordinator at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), the Faculty of Education of the University of Toronto. Mr. Xia has over eight years of experiences in university student recruitment, services, and event organization. Prior to joining the University of Toronto, Mr. Xia worked at the Toronto Metropolitan University and York University. He is also a certified Ontario high school teacher.

 

 

Kerrianne MacKenzie
Chief Operations Officer, Cape Breton Language Centre
Board Executive Member, EduNova Cooperative
Board member, Languages Canada

 

Kerrianne MacKenzie has more than 25 years of experience, specializing in public relations, finance, and international post-secondary education. As the Chief Operations Officer at the Cape Breton Language Centre, Ms. MacKenzie brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to her role.

 

Throughout her career, Ms. MacKenzie has demonstrated a keen understanding of the complexities of the education sector, particularly in the international arena. With 15 years of dedicated service in international post-secondary education, she has cultivated invaluable insights into the industry’s dynamics and challenges.

 

In addition to her responsibilities at the Cape Breton Language Centre, Ms. MacKenzie holds influential board positions. She served as the Chair of New Dawn Enterprises and currently serves on the boards of EduNova and Languages Canada.

 

With a proven track record of success and a steadfast commitment to educational excellence, Ms. MacKenzie continues to make significant contributions to international collaboration in both education and business.

 

 

Paul Pu
Director, The Erindale Academy/Toronto Central Academy
President, Global Youth Challenge

 

Paul Pu’s research interests encompass educational leadership, transitional education for international students, and the intersection of AI and education. His leadership philosophy is structured around two core dimensions: the 6C Interaction Dimension, comprising Communication, Connection, Community, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity, and the VIA Success Dimension, which focuses on Vision, Innovation, and Action. In acknowledgment of his contributions to education, the University of Toronto established the Paul Pu Educational Leadership Award.

 

Mr. Pu possesses extensive teaching experience across various educational levels, including universities, colleges, and high schools in Canada, the US, and China. His notable assignments include positions at the State University of New York, US, and Humber College, Canada.

 

Guided by the credo “to add value to people by helping them reach their potential,” Mr. Pu continues to make significant contributions to the field of education.

 

 

Maureen Elizondo
Immigration Specialist

 

Maureen Elizondo is a self-employed immigration consultant with over 35 years of experience in all areas of Canadian immigration law. Ms. Elizondo is a former immigration officer and was subsequently employed as a law clerk to many well renowned immigration lawyers in Canada before opening her own immigration consulting service in 1991. Presently Ms. Elizondo is considered an international student expert with the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC). Additionally, she is the in-house legal representative at the North American Canadian English Academy and International Student Agency (NACEA). NACEA operates as an online ESL academy with certified Teachers of English as a Second Language and an international student agency with partnerships with over 20 public and private colleges and universities across Canada. Ms. Elizondo provides counsel and guidance to international students, helping them select suitable courses at the appropriate faculty with their goals in mind. Ms. Elizondo is honoured to be part of this panel and has valuable insight, opinions and experiences to share.

 

 

Joey Ye
Director, Digital & Client Success, RBC Newcomer & Cultural Client Segment
RBC

 

Joey Ye is the Director, Newcomer & Cultural Client Segment at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). In this role she leads key initiatives within the Newcomer and Cultural Segment, which includes the International Student Segment.

 

Driven by a desire to help newcomers navigate transition and settlement, Ms. Ye and her team are focused on creating new capabilities and services for clients in both pre- and post-arrival stages to Canada. Under her leadership, a dedicated Newcomer Center of Excellence team was established, which provides tailored services directly to international student clients. Along with building strategic partnership relationships, Ms. Ye also leads new partners’ operational integration into the RBC platform for enhanced and optimal client experience.

 

As a newcomer to Canada in 2008, Ms. Ye brings deep understanding of the challenges a newcomer or an international student faces. She is passionate in collaborating with various partners in the industry to continuously innovate solutions to address the needs of newcomers. Ms. Ye holds a bachelor’s degree in International Economics and prior to RBC, she worked globally in various sectors including manufacturing, management consulting, and financial services.

 

 

Lizi Peng
Students Manager
Eduplus International Education Ltd.

 

Lizi Peng specializes in detailed standardization of management for international students. Her contributions include and are not limited to international student homestay family management standardization and enhancing relationships between international students and their homestay families.

 

With over 10 years of experience in the homestay field, Ms. Peng’s experience with both homestay families and international students have underscored the importance of standardization in this field.