The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology will run the Alberta Bureau for International Education. (Image: SAIT)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

$1.5 Million Investment

Alberta aims to attract international students through new bureau

Oct 3, 2022 | 4:58 PM

The Government of Alberta is launching a new strategy to attract international students and researchers to the province.

$1.5 million will be spent on the creation of a new not-for-profit organization called the Alberta Bureau for International Education (ABIE).

Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicholaides says ABIE will showcase the innovation and strength of Alberta’s post-secondary system to talented students from around the world.

“Two of our largest universities already attract many international students every year – this is about showcasing what our entire post-secondary system has to offer,” says Nicholaides. “ABIE will work to showcase the diversity of higher education available in our province, like the polytechnic institutions and colleges. We are excited to take this important step and look forward to announcing further details in the near future.”

ABIE will be based out of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary and have representation from post-secondary schools and industry stakeholders.

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SAIT President David Ross says he looks forward to collaborating with the provincial government and their post-secondary partners to develop Alberta’s place on the world stage when it comes to international education.

“Through an overarching commitment to international education, Alberta’s post-secondary institutions create stronger international ties for the province, boost the global competitiveness of our region and help bring vital academic, economic and social benefit to our communities,” says Ross.

Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Brad Donaldson says, “Lethbridge College has a proven reputation of providing meaningful educational and cultural opportunities to international students. We appreciate the efforts of the Government of Alberta to highlight these opportunities at our college and across Alberta’s post-secondary education sector. We look forward to being a part of this initiative.”