Australian, Canadian universities announce layoffs due to govt policies to limit international students

The changing government policies in Australia, the UK and Canada to limit the number of international students have worried the international students looking to study in these countries, the universities have also begun to announce layoffs.

Study Abroad: Australia, UK and Canada are among the top choices for Indian students who are looking to study abroad. However, recent changes in the government policies of these countries regarding international students affected the universities. While expecting fewer international students in the time to come, the universities have started announcing layoffs.

Federation University to lay off staff

As per the Financial Review report, the Federation University, affected by the government's effort to curb migration in Australia, has decided to lay off 200 staff to save $20 million. Vice-chancellor Duncan Bentley said that the foreign student numbers have declined from 8600 in the year 2020 to only 3500 this year. Professor Bentley said, "That's a drop in revenue of around $80 million."

Andrew Norton, higher education policy professor at the Australian National University, told The PIE News, “At a sector level the total number of new visa grants is still reasonably high. But visa grant rates are falling for some universities and source countries, which will cause immediate revenue loss compared to what was budgeted.”

Simon Fraser University Canada laid off staff

Simon Fraser University said that it removed nearly 85 jobs since Monday due to budgetary challenges. The layoffs were done across its three B.C. campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver, and Surrey. The roles for which layoffs were announced included custodial workers, administrative support staff, and instructors.

The university told CBC News that the decline in international student enrolment is among one of the reasons creating the cost pressures on the university. 

"As we move through these changes we are confident that this restructuring will ensure a stable and sustainable financial outlook for the university as we continue to prioritize teaching, learning and research," the university stated.

SFU added that it is doing all it can to support people affected by the layoffs. The layoffs are under three groups - the Administrative and Professional Staff Association (APSA), the Teacher Support Staff Union (TSSU), and CUPE Local 3338, which represents 1,100 members.

UK Universities adversely affected due to decreasing international students

A government-commissioned report said that the UK should avoid further restricting international student numbers else some universities might collapse. There is already debate going on around the Graduate Route Visa that allows international graduates to work in the UK for a period of up to three years after their studies. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to announce soon whether to continue the Graduate Route Visa or axe it. The universities are urging the government to not eliminate it.

Amid the declining international student enrollments in these countries, in the coming period, more and more universities, colleges and schools are expected to announce similar layoffs.

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