Executive Summary:

The community need: The population of Atlantic Canada is getting older and there are no longer enough workers to sustain its provincially-funded social programs. The already poor economic health of the region is facing even greater risk. Central to public policy development at the municipal, provincial, and regional level is the theme that greater emphasis needs to be placed on immigration as a solution to Atlantic Canada’s human capital needs.

Crandall University’s role: In reflecting on how the University can serve the public good, it’s become clear that the University can become a means through which immigrants can enter into the life and workforce of the region. The University is approved by the federal government as a Designated Learning Institution to receive international students and is also listed as an institution from which graduates are eligible to receive a post-graduation work permit. Initial conversations with municipal, provincial, and federal leaders around this immigration initiative has produced great enthusiasm.

The University Senate has created a new cohort-model International Bachelor of Commerce degree program. This new program is designed to accommodate international transfer students who have completed two years of study in business and who wish to develop an understanding of how to be successful in business in a North American environment. In addition, international students will also be recruited for existing programs such as the Master of Organizational Management and the Bachelor of Education.

Breadth of impact: Since the University has little experience with international students, especially those who may not come from a Christian background, the University envisions starting modestly with a small group in order to ensure that it has perfected service delivery and support for international students. We envision starting with an entering class of approx. 15 students.

While we expect the initiative to be self-supporting by the 2019-2020 academic year through tuition paid by the students, seed money in the amount of $150,000 is required to cover startup costs. As a result of intentional international recruitment, the University plans to admit its first students in the 2018-19 academic year.

The University envisions admitting 100 students per year by year four. In keeping with the existing norm for immigrants to Atlantic Canada, it is anticipated that 70% of the graduates will remain in the region resulting in an annual contribution of 63 new employable immigrants by 2023.

Measurable Outcomes:

• Project Launch: In the 2018-19 academic year, enroll 15-20 international students in new and existing programs at Crandall University.
• Project Sustainability: By September 2019, enroll 60 international students who contribute $548,000 in net revenue to cover the cost of 2.5 additional employees to teach and manage the international outreach program at a cost of approximately $200,000 resulting in a net financial benefit of $348,000 to the university.