Stakeholders across the international education sector met at the Halifax Convention Centre in Nova Scotia this week for the annual 听颁辞苍苍别肠迟颈辞苍 . The theme for this year鈥檚 three-day event was 鈥淣avigating Anew.鈥�
Through nautically inspired conference strands, CICan indicated the hybrid event this year was intended to help chart a post-pandemic course by fostering connections between institutions of higher education, both across Canada and worldwide.
小瓢虫传媒 was in attendance at CICan and heard from myriad attendees about the impact of those collegial connections and conversations.
In keeping with the conference theme, , director of International Affairs at , likened language education as 鈥渂eing the port of entry for international students aiming to enter college and institute programs鈥�.
Languages Canada鈥檚 Trade Missions to聽Brazil and Mexico, and future plans with Japan and Colombia, are strategically diversifying markets, he said.
Indeed, future planning was a prevalent theme at CICan, with the conference committee asserting that this year, 鈥渃onnections will focus on navigating anew in this fast forward future鈥�.
In a panel discussion about what the future of international education may hold, Stephany Codd, manager of Communications & Donor Relations at , Filipe Ferreira, Internationals Projects officer, and 聽manager of Global Engagement, Tahira Ebrahim, discussed the idea that virtual mobility is likely here to stay.
鈥淭here is still some hesitancy to go abroad鈥�
鈥淭here is still some hesitancy to go abroad,鈥� suggested Codd. 鈥淪o, we need to provide options post-Covid.鈥�
Underscoring the impact of international education on the environment, Ferreira suggested, 鈥渋ntegrating digital mobility is being mindful of the carbon footprint鈥�.
Ebrahim highlighted the increase in virtual exchange options as a method of democratising international opportunities for students. 鈥淭he added level of agility is reflective of where we are headed,鈥� she argued, indicating the need for youth to be well equipped with both digital and face-to-face collaborative skills.
The panellists were also asked how organisations might improve the translation of knowledge from international experiences to applied global citizenship.
鈥淏y constantly reflecting on what we provide,鈥� answered Codd. 鈥淪o that it鈥檚 not a one-off trip. So that the work is sustainable, and that the ideals of global citizenship remain within the students.鈥�
Ebrahim also emphasised the importance of reflection as well as having deliberate conversations with multiple stakeholders on how to build global development across an organisation. She advised focus groups to consider two questions, 鈥淲hat does global citizenship look like and how do we measure it?鈥�
鈥淲e need to have integrated institutional discussions if we want [the ideals] to be part of the campus culture,鈥� she added.
With over 1,500 attendees, and more than 50 learning and development sessions, the CICan Conference was ripe with conversations around the topic of navigating the future of international education. From strands such as Governing the Vessel, Charting Teaching and Learning, Steering Innovation, and Mapping Sustainability, many participants, presenters, and exhibitors alike engaged in conversations over the three days, about navigating the rough waters of the pandemic and the hopes of smooth sailing ahead.
鈥淭his was one of the first in person conferences in Canada since 2019,鈥� Christine Wach, director of Client Partnerships, North America told 小瓢虫传媒. 鈥淚t was amazing to meet colleagues and leaders from across the country and around the world again in beautiful Halifax.鈥�
Likewise, Erez Van Ham, chief growth officer at proffered, “After so many virtual events it was great to see so many friends in Halifax at the CICan conference. I sense a real positive sentiment towards growth through innovation.鈥�
- See photos from the conference .
