Given the current situation between India and Canada, there may be a drop in the number of Indian students going to Canada for higher studies, said a consultant with Star Global Education Alliance.
“Many students who were keen on choosing Canada as their desired destination are now looking at alternatives in countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA,” Ravi Veeravalli, Principal Consultant, Star Global Education Alliance, told IANS.
According to Veeravalli, there is a general sense of uneasiness in Canada among the students who are expecting some kind of retaliation by the Canadians.
“We are concerned about the evolving situation there. We are talking to our daughter studying there on a daily basis and have asked her to follow the instructions given by the Indian Embassy there,” a parent, whose daughter is studying in Canada, told IANS preferring anonymity.
“She chose Canada as the course cost there was comparatively lower than other countries,” he added.
“Indian students form the largest chunk of international students studying in Canada. The number of Indian students who were granted visas in 2022 was approximately 2,25,000. The contribution of Indian students to the Canadian exchequer is extremely significant, and so is in the area of skill shortages in the Canadian economy,” Veeravalli said.
Canada has been a favourite destination for students from North India despite around 50 per cent visa declines, he added.
The main attraction has been the post-study work permits which a student gets after the completion of education. In most of the cases. it spans from 1-3 years, Veeravalli said.
According to him, the Canadian qualifications and the subsequent post-study work provide an easy pathway to permanent residency (PR) there.
In the past two years, more than 10 lakh of visa grants have been issued to Indians by Canada, including visitor, student and citizenship. Canada is consistently granting over 4,00,000 PR applications every year for the past few years for applicants from all over the world, and a major chunk of it are people of Indian origin, Veeravalli added.
Three injured in drone attack in Punjab's Ferozepur
Police officials told the media that the blast took place owing to drone that was later intercepted and which got destroyed by the Army's air defence system, but it landed at a house in Khai Pheme Ke village.
Security tightened at Agartala airport amid India-Pakistan tensions
Airport Director Kailash Chander Meena informed that enhanced security protocols have been implemented at the MBB Airport, which is categorised as a hyper-sensitive installation due to its proximity to the Bangladesh border.
Congress takes out 'Jai Hind Tiranga Yatra' in NE to support 'Operation Sindoor'
As part of their nationwide programme, opposition Congress on Friday organised a 'Jai Hind Tiranga Yatra' in northeastern states in support of the Indian Army’s determined action under ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror hideouts in Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor: PM Modi meets Rajnath Singh, NSA Doval and three service chiefs
In the backdrop of the ongoing ‘Operation Sindoor’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Chiefs of the Armed Forces and senior officials.
11 more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF), jointly with state police, on Friday apprehended 11 more Bangladeshi nationals, including four women and four children, officials said.
Railway Protection Force tightens security in NFR zone
In response to escalating security challenges across the country, Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has significantly strengthened its security protocols at stations, trains and railway premises, an official said on Friday.
India opposes IMF lifeline for Pakistan due to terror financing risk
India strongly opposed further financial assistance from the IMF to Pakistan at the executive board meeting held on Friday, expressing serious concerns over Islamabad’s track record and the fact that the bailouts were enabling the cash-strapped country to sponsor cross-border terrorism.
Sirens echo across Jammu as 'blasts' trigger blackout; CM Omar Abdullah posts urgent advisory on social media
Jammu city plunged into darkness late Friday evening after a series of blasts were heard across the region, prompting authorities to sound emergency alarms and urge citizens to stay indoors.