In a recent update, the Canadian government disclosed a notable decrease of 35 percent in the allocation of visas for international undergraduate students for the upcoming years of 2024 and 2025. Moreover, there has been a significant hike in the mandatory cost of living threshold, rising from 10,000 Canadian dollars to 20,635 Canadian dollars. These adjustments are causing Bangladeshi students, who typically regard Canada as a prime choice for advanced education, to reassess their intentions.
In the last 7-8 years, there has been a significant increase in the enrollment of Bangladeshi students in colleges and universities located in China and Hong Kong SAR for their tertiary education. These academic institutions have garnered global acknowledgment for their excellent educational standards, with numerous opportunities for Bangladeshi students to secure scholarships.
Amid changing circumstances, characterized by rising costs in Western universities and a concerning trend of gun violence on campuses, guardians of Bangladeshi students are hesitating to send their children to Western educational institutions. Instead, they are increasingly considering the option of enrolling them in colleges and universities located in China and Hong Kong SAR. Furthermore, they are actively exploring educational avenues in Russia that provide English-language programs tailored for international students.
It is noteworthy that Canada has become a prominent destination for study over the last ten years, as evidenced by the substantial increase in study permits granted to individuals from Bangladesh. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the number of study permits issued to Bangladeshi nationals surged from 1,365 in 2015 to 9,535 in 2023. However, in light of the recent policy modifications, students are now obligated to reconsider their academic aspirations for the future.
Speaking anonymously, a student at Yale International School in Dhaka, preparing for his A-2 Level exams, had previously set his sights on attending university in Canada this fall. He had applied to several universities, enticed by the scholarships available for programs of his interest. However, the visa restrictions have dealt a significant blow to his aspirations. "I had personal motivations to pursue education in Canada and had been diligently working towards it. But now, even if I secure scholarships, there's uncertainty regarding visa approvals. In such circumstances, I may have to explore suitable universities in China or Hong Kong SAR". he lamented. The student disclosed that he had already spent approximately US$ 2,000 on his applications, unaware of the visa restrictions imposed by Canadian authorities at that time.
