Canada is a popular destination for international students, with over 600,000 foreign students enrolled in the country each year. However, Canada’s international student program has been criticized for its lack of transparency and oversight. In response to these concerns, the Canadian government launched the Trusted Institutions Framework (TIF) in 2023.

Canada Trusted Institutions Framework requirements

The TIF sets out a clear set of standards for institutions that want to be designated as “trusted institutions.” These standards cover three key areas:

• Compliance with Canadian laws and regulations: Institutions must have a history of complying with all applicable Canadian laws and regulations, including those governing immigration, education, and labour.
• Quality educational offering: Institutions must provide a quality educational offering that meets the standards of Canadian post-secondary education. This includes having qualified faculty, providing a rigorous curriculum, and offering a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Commitment to the safety and well-being of international students: Institutions must have a commitment to the safety and well-being of their international students. This includes providing support services such as counseling, translation, and immigration advice.

In addition to the three key requirements mentioned above, the TIF also includes a number of other provisions, such as:

• A requirement for institutions to have a risk management plan in place to address potential issues such as fraud and exploitation.
• A requirement for institutions to provide regular updates to the government on their compliance with the TIF.
• A mechanism for the government to revoke the designation of an institution that fails to meet the requirements of the TIF.

According to IRCC, “Given that these discussions are ongoing, IRCC cannot speculate on future policy decisions. However, any new developments would be communicated publicly.”

DLIs will be tasked with sharing additional data, including retention rates, on-time program completion, revenue from international tuitions, support services expenditure, housing availability, and teacher-student ratios.

Measuring Institutional Performance under the TIF

The Trusted Institutions Framework (TIF) will evaluate the performance of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) based on a number of key indicators, including:

• Retention rate: The percentage of international students enrolled in multi-year study programs who choose to continue their studies at the same institution after their first year in Canada.
• On-time program completion rate: The percentage of international students who complete their programs within the advertised length of study.
• Revenue from international tuition: The percentage of a DLI’s total tuition revenue that is derived from international student tuition fees.
• Scholarships for less developed countries: The dollar value and the percentage of total scholarships and grants awarded to international students from countries identified on the United Nations Least Developed Countries list.
• Funding for international student support: The value of dedicated support services provided to international students per student and as a percentage of average international student tuition.
• DLI-administered housing availability: The total number and percentage of international students who are accommodated in housing administered by their respective institutions.
• Teacher-student ratio: The average teacher-student ratio for the ten courses with the highest enrollment of international students.

These indicators will be used to assess the effectiveness and commitment of DLIs to providing a high-quality education and support services to international students.

Benefits of the Trusted Institutions Framework

Institutions that meet these requirements will benefit from a number of advantages, including:

• Priority access to Canadian immigration programs
• Recognition of their commitment to excellence
• Improved reputation

The TIF is still a new initiative, but it has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of international students in Canada. By ensuring that institutions are held accountable to high standards, the TIF can help to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for international students.

Conclusion

The TIF is a significant step forward in improving the quality and safety of Canada’s international student program. By establishing clear standards for institutions and holding them accountable to those standards, the TIF can help to ensure that international students have a positive experience in Canada.

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