MONTREAL, CANADA – India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has raised alarm over the exploitation of international students in Canada, particularly those from India. Verma emphasized the need for Canadians to rebuild the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination for talented individuals, as reports show an increase in exploitation cases leading to tragic consequences for some students.
Verma highlighted the significant role Indian students play in advancing technological knowledge in both Canada and India. However, he expressed concerns about the existence of fraudulent schools that have deceived Indian families, resulting in devastating outcomes for some students. The exploitation of international students has prompted the Canadian government to impose a two-year cap on foreign student admissions in response to the surge in study permits issued in recent years.
The influx of international students, with India being the top contributor, has led to a reliance on foreign tuition fees to supplement funding shortfalls in Canadian universities and colleges. This reliance, however, has placed undue financial burdens on students who often resort to working long hours to make ends meet or take out loans to cover their educational expenses.
Verma recounted the heartbreaking reality faced by some Indian families who sacrifice their livelihoods to ensure their children have a chance to study in Canada, only to fall victim to unethical practices in the education sector. The issue of student exploitation has also raised concerns about mental health and well-being among international students, with reports of tragic incidents such as drug overdoses and financial distress emerging within Indian student communities in Canada.
As efforts are made to address the challenges faced by international students, Verma emphasized the importance of sharing authentic experiences through social media to educate prospective students and their families about the realities of studying in Canada. He called for a multilingual approach to reach a wider audience and provide a realistic depiction of the obstacles students may encounter while pursuing education in a foreign country.
In light of these developments, Verma urged Canadians to work towards restoring the country’s tarnished reputation in the education sector and reaffirming its status as a safe and welcoming destination for international students. The need to address exploitation, financial instability, and mental health issues among foreign students remains a pressing concern that requires concerted efforts from both government authorities and educational institutions to ensure a positive and supportive environment for all students.