Vancouver Community College (VCC) is facing staff layoffs due to a decline in international student enrollment in British Columbia, impacting around 30 employees who will receive notices on September 1, effective in January. This marks the third round of job cuts this year, causing concern among faculty members like Frank Cosco, the president of the VCC faculty association.
Cosco expressed disappointment at the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by international students who were promised educational opportunities in Canada. He emphasized the need for government support to help post-secondary institutions like VCC survive and thrive in the face of funding uncertainties.
The impact of declining international student numbers is not limited to VCC, as Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) and Langara College are also bracing for additional layoffs. Langara College’s president, Dr. Paula Burns, confirmed a significant reduction in international student enrollment, while KPU is projecting a substantial drop in international student numbers compared to previous years.
These staffing cuts are partly attributed to changes in federal regulations affecting international student permits, with a limited number of study permits issued in recent years. The uncertainty surrounding international student enrollment poses a significant challenge for post-secondary institutions in British Columbia.