International Student Engagement Programs International Business

Assignment 4

Introduction

Student involvement in education refers to the degree of focus, enthusiasm, interest, ambition, and excitement that students display while they are studying or being taught, which leads to the level of encouragement they need to learn and improve in their training. In general, the concept of "student engagement" is based on the idea that learning increases when students are inquisitive, interested or motivated, and that learning appears to fail when students are bored, dispassionate, disaffected or otherwise "disengaged." Stronger student engagement or increased student engagement are common educational goals articulated by educators (Chris A. Boulton, 2019).

However, in many contexts’ student engagement can also refer to how school leaders, educators, and other adults may "engage" students more fully in school governance and decision-making processes, curriculum design and learning opportunities, or their community's civic life. For instance, many schools and colleges survey students to assess their opinions on any variety of topics, and then use the results of the survey to change policies or programmes in ways that respect or respond to students’ perspectives and concerns.

Students may also ask their own questions, survey their peers and then send the findings to the school board to campaign for programme or policy improvements (Chris A. Boulton, 2019). Students' participation in higher education is a significant factor for learning outcomes. Campus- based higher education institutions involvement with learning is difficult to measure due to the variety of forms that involvement may take (e.g. lecture attendance, self-study, online/ digital system usage).

Higher education in the US experiences a huge, unforeseen change in the sea in early March. When the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread, institutions closed their physical campuses and started transferring students to remote learning or immediately adopted plans to do so. Leaders at many institutions are beginning to negotiate plans if classes in person are not feasible in the event of failure. The sudden change from institutions to another educational paradigm that leaves some students disoriented and unmoored.

What are students dealing with

Across Canada, research practises that hinder academic and career advancement are affected. As students in the area of public health, many of our tasks have been postponed because our mentors and colleagues are involved in frontline and organisational responses. Most of us want to help respond, but face obstacles and competing demands. One federal response was the creation of the National COVID-19 Volunteer Recruitment Campaign; a central register of volunteers willing to assist with case monitoring and data collection. At present, however, the functions and obligations of the applicants have not been assigned. This also needs unpaid labour and system derailment, which is difficult for many students to do.

International students — who represent a significant proportion of Canadian graduate students — are particularly vulnerable financially because many do not fulfil federal benefits criteria, such as the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). In addition, the government lifted limits on work-hours for foreign students. In addition, students who have lost their jobs can apply for a Canada Emergency Response. Millions of learners across the globe are facing uncertain futures and are experiencing high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about the future of their academic and professional careers. According to COVID-19, one in five post-secondary students reported one or more mental health problems.

Student engagement and its impact on Red River College:

In order to build and ensure academic success, colleges and universities have taken up student engagements as a part of the curriculum to make the educational system more inclusive and enjoyable. As influenced by Chen et al. (2018) facilitating student participation in various community based social and cultural practices helps them increase their morale and responsibility towards the society and at the same time developing interest in the academic platform. When students take part in group learning it opens for another dimension towards gaining of knowledge and education and builds better communication and interaction among the participants. This often develops the leadership within the students and develops their interpersonal skills.

With the implementation of better strategies into student engagements like Aqua Hacking Lake Winnipeg Challenge, Culinary research program for the charity auction, creative arts programs like professional photography, digital media and graphic design, Employment readiness Conferences and so on, Red River College have been successful in fostering the ability to acquire necessary skills that play an important role in future (rrc.ca, 2020). Students’ engagements in the college enhanced their negotiation skills and better understanding of the governance within the college’s internal education system. Red River College’s CIEGP enables students to adjust to the life of Canada by providing a diverse range of services during the study period. Thus, without the implementation of students’ engagements and participation, it would not be very feasible for them to adapt with the changing needs of the educational system and would hinder with further progression.

Other post-secondary institutions in Canada and their various programs and activities:

Some of the other post-secondary institutions in Canada include University of Toronto that provides a student engagement officer program which was created in 2016 to develop an interactive bond between the students and the alumni. The upcoming events where students could participate and engage themselves include Indigenous nights, All Write Together, Ethics and Political Philosophy group talk and many more (Utoronto.ca, 2020). The University of British Columbia launches various student engagement activities such as initiatives to support mental health of people in prison, community and University engagement events (Ubc.ca, 2020). Similarly, McGill University enjoys a thriving atmosphere with through participation in various communities meant for international students like International Students’ association, International Student Spouses Club, Buddy program that matches the existing international students with the new ones (Future Graduate students, 2020). The Summer Connect Program to be implemented by the University of Alberta would enable opportunity to connect and keep mental health intact. This program enables volunteering and thus leads to beautiful opportunities of intermingling among the students to boost up their attitudes (Ualberta.ca, 2020).

Improvement of current student international programs and recommendation on new programs along with advantages and disadvantages

More than 60 programmes are available in the Red RIver College for the international students. The college provides opportunities to international and immigrant students to get connected with the Winnipeg community. The CIEGP is responsible for arranging various bi-weekly sessions that enable the immigrant students to know about academics, employment and settlement related information. Considering the current scenario the concerned college has been found to prioritize only the applicants with a study permit and a resident of Canada for the fresh application in the fall. They provide several desirable programs for the international students including intensive english, community services, creative arts, engineering and construction technology, hospitality, transportation technology and many more to name (Holik, 2019). Although RRC always promises to extend help to the international students yet disruptive times have obligated them to reshape their traditional program structures.

Along with the pandemic situation several reasons have generated controversies regarding a few of the RRC programs. From an online review Global News. (2020) In the recent past, the advanced care paramedicine and welding program offered by the college got suspended. In order to improve their offerings a constant reviewing of the programs is very much essential, this would ensure that relevant programs meet the needs of respective industries. They need to take care of the sustainability of these programs for the immigrants and also need to provide strong healthcare services to them. Considering the changes in current pandemic conditions the college needs to operate their programs online so that international students also get equal opportunities to participate in training, research programs, seminars, conferences and various other activities. This would also ensure smooth running of existing programs.

Probable beneficial programs for international students and student engagement programs recommendation to manager and CIEGP

Benefiting international students in turn proves to be beneficial for a college or a university. There should be programs available for the immigrant student that help them utilize all the resource options. Such engagement programs have been found to shape the career path of many international students so these are critical for those students who come to avail international education programs. RRC also has been found to show full support to the international and immigrant students. In the context of international student travel and application some issues have often been seen regarding study permits. As the college offers several programs, advanced support is needed to be provided to the international students that include hassle free student application, enhanced counselling and mentorship programs, safe and secure campus with protected college stay (Collegedunia. 2020). The annual average of immigrant students is around 2000 in RRC.

Many controversies have been there regarding the favoritism in admission of international students instead of permanent residents. That needs to be equalised through intercultural programs which would enable the canadian students to welcome international students (Rose-Redwood, 2018). Moreover, the college can be a little more flexible in mandating students to appear for multiple events also in band requirements for the immigrant students. Enhancement in webinars, welcome events for international students, tutoring support and connection programs would make such immigrant students more capable to cope with canadian culture and prepare themselves accordingly. Student employment services still can reach optimum levels as graduates from RRC are found to be inclined more towards working while studying that is especially seen among the immigrant students. They could arrange inter college research and innovation programs and also some challenges for the graduates and that may benefit them to choose a career path.

Other college departments needed to be collaborated by CIEGP

The Centre for International Education and Global Partnerships are known to provide a diverse range of services to international students in collaboration with the job central, Academic Success Centre. During their study period the particular centre offers programs such as special language training, business workshops and more. The RRC already is in collaboration with the Canadian government and some student associations. From an online source Catalogue.rrc.ca. (2020) it has been seen that In order to facilitate projects and training programs of the immigrant students the CIEGP has also included technology, industrial collaboration within their working structure. They are found to serve some industries namely information technology, building technology, aerospace and manufacturing, energy centres, culinary research and so on. Metro-Roland, (2018) opined that as they primarily intend to provide placements to the international students in these industries, extended collaboration with other departments and newer industries would be beneficial for the college and the international students in turn. In order to maintain the top rank among the research institutes the CIEGP needs to strengthen the collaboration with applied research departments like applied biology, paramedical departments and more so that the students get global recognition in these industries as well.

Involvement of student association and utilization of the collaboration to forge benefit of the international students:

Student association was incorporated on June 10, 1974 by the act of Manitoba Legislature. This association remains an independent and legal business entity. As stated by an online review Edutopia, (2020) the importances of involvement of Students Association in CIEGP collaborate lies in its concern over student advocacy in any required circumstances. Through CIEGP, various programs related to the international students have been organized for their easy adjustments. Similarly, the students’ association organizes and arranges various programs and activities where any students can join. One of the best part of the programs include being completely free and therefore easily affordable by the students to participate in. Thus, if Students’ Association could be involved, it would lead into bigger workshops and events that could indulge more international participants (GAC, 2020). This would also lead to gaining of confidence as their concerns would also be equally given importance and handled well by the association.

Collaboration leads to innovative plans and ideas implemented through training and applications. Through research and development in other organizations being it in the field of information technology or industrial platforms, the international students feel importance through inclusion in various seminars, courses, workshops and data driven training patterns with real life examples (Future Graduate students, 2020). This makes them more confident regarding building high performance and monitoring their progress through sustainable testing.

Steps and resources required for implementation of the proposed recommendation:

To implement proper steps in for the proposed recommendations, thorough training of the members in the respective departments could not be compromised. Extensive knowledge in handling student queries and their concerns need to be included in their job profile and should be prioritized. From an online review Coursera, (2020) resources include skilled manpower along with the usage of latest technologies to track down the interaction between the students and the faculties. To implement these, proper strategy needs to be developed along with the close monitoring of outcomes regarding such decisions taken and executing them accordingly. Financial sources in order to contrivance various requirements should be scanned on a regular basis to avoid any unprecedented hazards.

Conclusion

Students’ engagement has been an important aspect beside the normal curriculum to make the entire education system more flexible and transitional as per needs of the recent generation. With more and more students seeking education from the international level, the responsibilities of drawing an important strategy falls upon the institutions. Red River College has been one of the top colleges in Canada that provides facilities for international students’ participation through CIEGP. The importance of students’ participation in the performance of college leaves a direct impact on the overall outcome. Along with Red River College, various other post-secondary institutions in Canada have been mentioned along with various events and organizations taking place in those institutions enabling students to participate. The need and importance of new international programs with respect to the students over the existing programs have been stated along with their advantages and disadvantages after implementation. The prospects of collaboration of CIEGP with other colleges and the role of Students Association have also been elaborately explained.

Assignment 5

Self-reflection

The course of international student engagement in the Red River College is truly commendable, the range of services that are provided by the CIEGP to the immigrant students are highly desirable for them. Probably because of such opportunities international education nowadays has received great attention and appreciation.

During this study I have learned more about the programs conducted in the concerned educational institute to support the international students. The importance of safety and protection regarding health, culture, religion and skills of an immigrant student can be recognised as primary concerns by the international colleges.

I have tried my best to conduct this exercise with accuracy within a short period of time. I might take much time to perform extensive research on the particular matter if I need to carry out the assignment again. Other than that I have used my knowledge and time wisely to gather information and provide recommendations accordingly. Nothing unexpected happened during the work course and the professionalism has generated a satisfactory result.

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References

• Catalogue.rrc.ca. 2020. Intensive English For International Students - Awards And Scholarships :: Red River College Program & Course Catalogue. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Chen, C., Jones, K.T. and Xu, S., 2018. The Association between Students' Style of Learning Preferences, Social Presence, Collaborative Learning and Learning Outcomes. Journal of Educators Online, 15(1), p.n1.
• Collegedunia. 2020. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Coursera. 2020. Strategy Implementation. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Edutopia. 2020. Golden Rules For Engaging Students In Learning Activities. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Future Graduate Students. 2020. International Graduate Students Admissions. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• GAC. 2020. Education Associations. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Global News. 2020. Controversial Program Cuts Part Of Regular Review, Says Red River College. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Holik, M., 2019. The Flipped Classroom and its Impact on Student Engagement and Academic Performance in a Culinary Arts, Career and Technical Education Program. Journal of Research in Technical Careers, 3(2), p.74.
• International Education at Red River College. 2020. Home. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Metro-Roland, M., 2018. Community, Identity, and International Student Engagement. Journal of International Students, 8(3), pp.1408-1421.
• Rose-Redwood, C. and Rose-Redwood, R., 2018. Fostering Successful Integration and Engagement Between Domestic and International Students on College and University Campuses. Journal of International Students, 8(3), pp.1267-1273.
• Ualberta.ca. 2020. University Of Alberta. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Ubc.ca. 2020. The University Of British Columbia. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].
• Utoronto.ca. 2020. University Of Toronto. [online] Available at: [Accessed 24 July 2020].