Université de Moncton, University of Prince Edward Island and Dalhousie Presidents Meet

Attracting more international students to the Maritimes is crucial.

The presidents of three Atlantic Canada universities all agree that their schools will play a key role in pumping life back into the Maritime economy.

In a meeting of university-minds, Yvon Fontaine, president of Université de Moncton, Wade MacLauchlan, president emeritus of the University of Prince Edward Island, and Tom Traves, president of Dalhousie University, met at the 4Front Atlantic conference in Halifax.

They also expressed that attracting more international students to their schools is very crucial. In Moncton, 13 per cent of its student population is international, the same percentage as at Dalhousie. All 3 university heads said they would like that number to be much higher.
The global pool of international students is estimated at around two million and Atlantic Canada needs to tap into that resource to bring in new skills and young talent from across the globe.

A strong influx of new talent can help to plug some of the gaps left by the so called “brain-drain.” Many of Atlantic Canada’s young minds relocate to the west after graduation, following the promise of more money and more opportunity.

Johnston suggested following the example of the University of Waterloo, which has established itself with a reputation for innovation.

Schools mentioned: Université de Moncton, University of Prince Edward Island, Dalhousie University