Canada launches Streamlined Study Permit Process and new partnership with Philippines’ CHED

On the margins of this week’s Canadian Colleges and Institutes Orientation Seminar, Canada launches the Study Direct Stream (SDS) Program which streamlines the process for Philippine students to study at colleges and universities in Canada and welcomes the Canadian Bureau for International Education project with the Commission on Higher Education to strengthen the qualifications and capacity of Philippine Higher Education Institutions

The Embassy of Canada in the Philippines recently announced the launch of a pilot initiative, in cooperation with Scotiabank, to facilitate visa processing for Filipinos studying in Canada. The Study Direct Stream (SDS) Program, which will begin on June 16, 2017, will speed up visa processing for full-time studies attending universities and colleges in Canada.

The SDS Program is supported by Scotiabank, a leading Canadian financial institution. Scotiabank will provide eligible students with the opportunity to purchase a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), which will satisfy the financial statement requirements of the SDS program.

The Embassy of Canada in the Philippines will hold a public launch of the SDS Program on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Center, Pasig City at 1 PM. From 2 PM to 6 PM, a series of presentations will be delivered by Canadian colleges and institutes on Arts and Creative Industries, Business and Entrepreneurship, Information Technology and Engineering, Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, Health and Medical Science. The presentations will highlight the strengths of Canadian colleges and institutes in education delivery. Students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of over 20 Canadian colleges and institutes, led by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), the national, voluntary membership organization which represents publicly supported colleges, institutes, CÉGEPs and polytechnics in Canada and internationally.

SDS Program Requirements

Students applying for a program under SDS must meet the following eligibility criteria:

·         Admission to a full-time program in a publicly-funded post-secondary institution such as universities, colleges, institutes or CÉGEP;

·         An IELTS score with a minimum band of 6 for each ability (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) taken within past two years;

·         Purchase of a special Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from Scotiabank of CAD$10,000 to cover living expenses for the first year of stay in Canada;

·         Proof of payment of the tuition fee for one (1) year; AND

·         Upfront medical examination at least one week before submission of the application.

Advantages of applying under SDS

The major advantages of applying under SDS are:

·         Streamlined visa process for all SDS eligible institutions.

·         Less financial documentation.

·         Faster visa processing time.

“There are many advantages to studying in Canada, including world class institutions, lower costs, and a safe and healthy environment for students”, said Ambassador John Holmes of Canada. “The improvements to the Embassy’s visa processing system, including those offered by the SDS Program, is just one more reason why Filipino students should make Canada their destination of choice.

The Embassy of Canada also welcomes the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) official launch of the “Implementation of Higher Education in Canada for K to 12 Project” following a June 15 signing ceremony in Manila, Philippines.

This comprehensive project aims to provide training and support to higher education institutions and personnel in the Philippines who will be affected by the anticipated decrease in student enrollment from 2016 to 2021 as a result of the mandated K to 12 curriculum.

“This project will build a strong foundation between Canadian and Philippine post-secondary institutions and will enhance collaboration between Canada and the Philippines in the education sector” said Ambassador Holmes. “Through this project, Canada and the Philippines will strengthen people-to-people ties and share best practices with on education delivery and the internationalization of higher education.”

The project includes four (4) programs: the CHED-CBIE Scholarship for Graduate Studies in Canada designed for faculty and non-teaching staff at Philippine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); the Internationalization of HEIs Training Program; the Second Career/Adult Education Training Program; and, the Community College Best Practices Training Program.

Throughout project implementation, members of CBIE will participate in key program components by sharing their knowledge, experience and best practices.