Students support the internationalization of Ontario's universities

TORONTO, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - Undergraduate students recognize the benefits associated with a greater internationalization of Ontario's universities and are concerned by the increasingly divisive political atmosphere surrounding this issue.

The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), representing nearly 6,000 international undergraduate students, firmly believes in the need to expand international enrolment, as these students add to the diversity of perspectives and experiences in the classroom, enhance the broader cultural diversity on campus, and contribute significantly to the economic prosperity of the province.

"International students are our classmates and our friends. They deserve to be treated fairly by our institutions and our government," said OUSA President Meaghan Coker. "With all that these students bring to our universities and to our province, the conversation should be about what we must do to provide the supportive learning experience that they deserve."

Undergraduate students would welcome further investment in the priorities of international students. OUSA is hopeful that the provincial government will:

• regulate international student tuition at a fair and predictable level
• provide incentives for universities to improve their international student support programs
• re-enrol international students under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
• expand the Opportunities Ontario program to assist students in gaining permanent residency status

With tuition fees increasing at an unsustainable rate, students agree that more needs to be done to improve the accessibility and affordability of higher education. OUSA has applauded recent improvements in financial assistance for domestic students and will continue to advocate for and support investment in all undergraduate students.

The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance represents the interests of over 140,000 professional and undergraduate, full- and part-time university students at seven Ontario institutions.

For further information:

or to arrange an interview, please contact Alvin Tedjo, OUSA Director of Communications & Public Relations, work: [phone], cell: [phone], email: [email protected]