What is CBIE?
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE – Canadian Bureau for International Education) is a national organization that promotes international education in Canada and abroad.
CBIE brings together educational institutions, public and private partners, as well as experts working in the field of international student exchange, academic mobility, and educational policy.
CBIE advocates for the rights of international students and serves as a link between students, educational institutions, immigration professionals, and IRCC.
Where and when do the congresses take place, and what kinds are there?
CBIE organizes both national and regional congresses:
- National Congress – held once a year in different provinces of Canada. This is a major event that gathers representatives of educational institutions from across the country, international partners, government representatives, and research organizations.
- Regional Congresses – held in various provinces and focus on local challenges, trends, and experiences.
Who participates in the national and who in the regional congress?
- In the national congress: universities and colleges from all over Canada, federal departments (such as IRCC), international partners, and large educational organizations.
- In the regional congress: educational institutions from a specific province (in this case, Quebec), representatives of local ministries (e.g., MIFI), RAMQ, as well as practitioners, academics, and researchers.
What was discussed at the regional congress in Montreal?
Key topics included:
- Major changes in policy for international students — 16 significant reforms have been implemented at the federal and provincial levels over the past 17 months.
- Introduction of quotas on the number of international students and a reduction in overall application numbers.
- A new approach to student recruitment — with a focus on sustainability and quality.
- Support for students already in Canada — including adaptation, access to services, and involvement in academic and social life.
- Exchange of practices between educational institutions — real-life cases, effective solutions, and new tools.
- Artificial intelligence in education — its impact on teaching, academic integrity, the role of instructors, and student expectations.
What did I learn?
I participated in this congress, and its main message was:
In the coming months, all universities and colleges in Quebec will be revising their strategy for international education.
It is crucial for them not to lose their connection with the international community, as program cuts and changes for international students can seriously affect the reputation of Quebec, its educational institutions, and the image of the entire country.
What was disappointing:
A representative from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration (MIFI) could not answer the key question: Will they reopen immigration programs on June 30 as planned?
Stay tuned — I will soon share insights about the new decisions being discussed behind the scenes!