UW Board of Governors

Environmental Scan

February 1, 2011

International Overview

Australia’s International Education Collapse

•After years of double-digit growth, a downturn in enrolments, particularly from Indian students•Some institutions have suffered a 25 per cent drop•Total international enrolment down by 1.4 per cent in October 2010, the 3rd consecutive month. •Tighter skilled migration, slow visa processing, high AUS dollar, and reputational damage after a number of attacks on Indian students in recent years•Other English-speaking countries stand to benefit•Canada will issue 20,000 student visas for Indian students, up from 14,000 in 2010

Source: The Toronto Star, December 12, 2010, The Australian, December 15, 2010

National Overview

Spending on Research and Development 2010

Funding

•Total R&D funding for 2010 amounted to $29.2 billion, down 0.6 per cent from $29.4 billion in 2009•Business enterprise sector funding for 2010, at $13.7 billion, was down 2.3 per cent from last year•Higher education sector funding for 2010, at $5.2 billion, increased 1 per cent over 2009•Federal government funding for 2010, at $5.8 billion, increased by 2.5 per cent•Provincial government and provincial research organization funding for 2010, at $1.5 billion, decreased by 2.4 per cent over 2009

Source: Statistics Canada, December 24, 2010

National Overview

Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada

•In December 2010, Canada’s unemployment rate decreased for the second consecutive month, at 7.6 per cent from 7.9 per cent in October

• Canada’s pre-recession unemployment rate was 6.2 per cent

•Youths aged 15-24 faced a steep drop in employment rates, but unemployment rates are down from their peak of 20.9 per cent in July 2009

•In November 2010, there was a large decline of youths seeking work, and their unemployment rate fell 1.4 percentage points to 13.6 per cent. The youth participation rate, at 63.2 per cent, is the lowest since August 1999.

•In December 2010, youth employment increased by 26,000, up 1.8 per cent over December 2009

Source: Statistics Canada, January 7, 2011

National Overview

Canada Research Chairs

•10th Anniversary of the program•$275.6 million to fund 310 new or renewed chairs at 53 universities•$13.4 million from Canada Foundation for Innovation•4 new CRCs from Waterloo announced

Youth STEM Initiative

•An initiative of FedDev Ontario•Provides $20 million for not-for-profit organizations to enhance or expand educational outreach programs in the STEM disciplines

Source: Canada Research Chairs, November 24, 2010 and FedDev Ontario, November 29, 2010

National Overview

Statistics Canada – Education and Earnings of Childhood Immigrants

•Immigrants who arrived in Canada at age 12 or younger are more likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to obtain a university education by age 25-34.

•Among male childhood immigrants who came to Canada in the 1980s, 32 per cent held a university degree by age 25-34, compared to 20 per cent of their Canadian-born peers.

•Among female childhood immigrants who came to Canada in the 1980s, 40 per cent held a university degree by age 25-34,compared to 30 per cent of their Canadian-born peers.

Source: Statistics Canada, January 25, 2011

Provincial Overview

Austerity Measures

• Cancellation of Discovery and Catalyst Awards

• Established in 2006 • Cost savings of $2.5 million a year• Waterloo Region well represented, with 11 researchers, spinoffs, and

companies receiving these awards from 2007-2010

• Ban on “perks”

Source: The Globe and Mail, December 14, 2010

Provincial Overview

Post-Secondary Credit Transfer

•$73.7 million dollars in project funding over 5 years

•Credit Transfer Innovation Fund created

•Supports transfers between colleges and universities

•500 agreements between colleges and universities currently exist

•Multilateral pacts with Ministry consultation likely

Source: The Globe and Mail, January 16, 2011

Local Overview

Stratford Campus and Chiba University sign agreement

New Faculty of Environment Dean

Waterloo Summit Centre for the Environment Opening