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CANADA EDUCATION
Canada has gained international respect and admiration for the excellence of its educational system. The country has a large selection of schools located in every region of the country, in both urban and rural settings. Canada's education systems can provide international students with the opportunity to enhance their academic, professional and personal goals while gaining a wider perspective of Canada. More importantly, international students are truly welcomed in Canada either in Secondary or Higher Education.
SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN CANADA
Secondary Schools
Generally, high school programs consist of two streams. The first prepares students
for university and the second for post-secondary education at a community college,
institute of technology or for the workplace. There are also special programs
for students unable to complete the regular programs.
Universities
Canada's universities are internationally known for the quality of their teaching
and research. Most Canadian universities are largely publicly funded and all
are of a consistently high quality, regardless of the location or the area of
study. There are about 100 universities in Canada.
Full-time student enrollments at Canadian universities range from
over 35,000 to less than 1,000. In addition, most universities have a large
number of part-time or continuing education students. Many offer a broad range
of courses and a full range of degrees from undergraduate to doctorate. Fees
for universities differ depending on the province, institution and program of
study. The university year usually runs from September to May.
University Colleges
University colleges combine the best of the Canadian university and college
traditions, with a strong base of applied and academic programs offered in a
supportive campus environment. As the name suggests, university colleges offer
both university degree and college diploma and certificate programs. Students
can expect to find a wide range of program choices, including English as a Second
Language programs.
As a component of the Canadian university system, university colleges
offer students the assurance of quality and a choice of either academically-oriented
university degree programs or the more practically-oriented college diplomas
and certificates. University colleges are distinguished by their strong student
support services, smaller classes and strong campus communities.
Community Colleges and Technical Institutes
There are 175 community colleges in Canada which are members of the Association
of Canadian Community Colleges. They are officially known by a range of titles,
including Institute, University College and CEGEP. Organized within 12 educational
jurisdictions (10 provinces, 3 territories), all Canadian colleges have a primary
function of responding to the training needs of business, industry, the public
service sectors and the educational needs of vocationally-oriented secondary
school graduates and adults.
Some technical/career colleges are privately owned and operated
with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after an intensive
period of instruction. The emphasis is on practical skills over a broad range
of programs. They specialize in specific areas such as business, computers and
secretarial skills. Although privately owned, these schools are provincially
approved and regulated to maintain standards and quality. As well, career colleges
have highly competitive fee structures.
Private Language Schools
Many people choose Canada for the study of English as a Second Language (ESL)
or French as a Second Language (FSL) due to the many excellent schools across
the country and because of the neutral Canadian accent. Over the years, Canada
has developed considerable expertise in the teaching of ESL and FSL because
so many immigrants have required upgrading of their language skills.
Private language schools offer flexibility. While almost all English
universities and community colleges have ESL programs, most private ESL schools
are very flexible in terms of program requirements and intake dates. International
students can also find many public and private institutions that offer FSL.
However, FSL schools are primarily located in the province of Quebec. Similar
to ESL programs, students can usually enter a FSL private school program at
any time of the year for any length of study.
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDYING
IN CANADA
Canada offers a wide range of scholarships aiming at either studies on Canada or research projects that would benefit the scholars home country.
The following scholarships and grants are available for Chinese
students and academicians.
Canadian International Development Agency
General Scholarships:
Although CIDA, an agency of Canada's federal government, funds a variety of development cooperation projects in China, CIDA does not at present operate a general scholarship program for Chinese students wishing to study in Canada (however, CIDA projects often support specific Chinese ministries and institutions by offering staff members of these organizations the opportunity to receive project-related training in Canada).
Department of Foreign Affairs & International
Trade (DFAIT)
Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade operates two
programs for Chinese nationals.
Special Award for Canadian Studies (SACS):
This award provides Chinese scholars with the opportunity to spend
five weeks visiting Canadian educational institutions and meeting with Canadian
scholars to do research and gather material related to Canadian Studies. Participants
are expected to design their own itinerary and work plan, and to function independently
as they visit up to four Canadian cities. Priority is given to scholars researching
Canadian social, legal and political systems. Participants are expected to either
publish scholarly articles or books on Canadian issues upon their return to
China, or to teach courses on Canadian issues upon their return to China.
Eligibility Criteria:
Each applicant should be a full-time, permanent teaching or research staff member
at a recognized institution of higher education in China, and have an adequate
knowledge of either English or French.
Nature of Award:
Each award consists of a return air ticket, a grant to cover living expenses
while in Canada, and Canadian books (chosen by the award winner) for later research
use.
Canada-China Scholarly Exchange Program
(CCSEP)
This program is designed to enhance Chinese scholars' knowledge and understanding
of Canada. Awards are given for research in Canada of 4-12 months duration although
it should be noted that award holders are not permitted to enrol in Canadian
educational institutions while in Canada under CCSEP sponsorship. Normally,
CCSEP award winners are expected to produce books or articles about Canada and
teach courses on Canadian issues after their return to China.
Eligibility Criteria:
CCSEP is open to full-time faculty members and researchers in Chinese universities,
colleges and research institutes. Open to scholars in the humanities, social
sciences, professional disciplines (such as law) and environmental sciences
(fields are subject to change).
Nature of Award:
Under the CCSEP program, DFAIT provides a monthly stipend to cover the award
holder's expenses in Canada (with airfare expenses being covered by the Government
of China).
Eligibility Criteria:
Candidates must be non-Canadian and possess a doctoral degree (or its research
equivalent) in science or engineering from a recognized university. The degree
must have been conferred not more than four years prior to the date of application.
Applicants currently enrolled in graduate school must expect to complete all
requirements for their degree (including thesis defence) prior to taking up
the fellowship.
Nature of Award:
The award consists of a travel allowance, plus a Canadian dollar stipend (taxable)
based on anticipated expenses for one person (ie. no additional money for the
living expenses of dependents is provided).
Other NSERC Programs:
NSERC also provides support for senior non-Canadian scientists and researchers through the following programs:
* Foreign Researcher Awards;
* Bilateral Exchange Program.
Interested senior scientists and researchers should contact NSERC
directly for further information.
National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
NRC provides a limited number of Research Associateships (for academics possessing
a PhD in natural science or minimally a Master's degree in engineering).
Links
o International
Education and Academic Relations in Canada
o Association of Universities and Colleges
of Canada
o International
Education and Academic Relations
o Canadian Bureau for International
Education
o Studying in Canada
o Canadian Studies Program
o Parks Canada - National Historic Sites
o www.studyincanada.ca
o http://accute.uwinnipeg.ca
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