Indian students in Canada are worried about the lack of job opportunities.


As relations between India and Canada have been strained in the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations against India, there is another major problem plaguing Indian students here – lack of job opportunities.

The data shows that in 2022, a total of 226,450 Indian students arrived in Canada to pursue higher education, making India the top country for new international students entering North America last year.

According to global education search platform Erudera, Canada has a total of 807,750 international students across all education levels, including higher education. Of these, 551,405 obtained study permits in Canada last year.

India has the highest number of study permit holders in Canada in 2022, with 226,450, says Aerodra data.

“I’m not thinking so much about the India-Canada rift. I’m more anxious and worried about my future. There’s a dearth of jobs here, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to find work after I finish my studies.” Will I be able to keep safe or not,” said Harvinder (name changed on request to protect his privacy). PTI In Toronto

A number of Indian students from around the Greater Toronto Area echoed similar sentiments.

Mayank (who did not want his last name disclosed) is pursuing a health services course at an institute in the Greater Toronto Area.

He said that while he and his friends have not faced any problems as a result of the diplomatic standoff between Delhi and Ottawa, what is giving them sleepless nights is the possibility of completing their studies in Toronto. There is a thought of not getting a job after that.

“I know many Indian students here with medical degrees who are unable to find decent paying jobs and are driving taxis and working in shops and restaurants to pay the bills. It is very difficult for us. It is the situation,” he said.

The high cost of living in and around Toronto and other Canadian cities is also hurting students here, who are forced to live in cramped quarters to save on rent and other amenities.

“We came with the hope that once we finish our studies here, we will be able to get good paying jobs and support our parents and families in India. But there are no jobs. Livelihoods. , health care is back-breaking and we are struggling to make ends meet,” said another Indian student from Haryana, who did not want to be named.

India and Canada have been at a diplomatic standoff since Mr. Trudeau’s allegations in the Canadian Parliament last month.

He claimed that “Canadian security agencies are actively pursuing credible allegations of a possible link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Najjar on Canadian soil in British Columbia on June 18”. The accusation was angrily rejected. Delhi as “absurd” and “encouraging”.

A deep commitment to your well-being: The University of Toronto strives to assure international students.

A leading Toronto university has sought to reassure the student community and reiterate its commitment to its welfare, noting that India’s suspension of visa processing will hinder face-to-face communication. .

“We know that many members of the University of Toronto community are concerned about the relationship between the governments of Canada and India. The situation is rapidly evolving, creating uncertainty and tension, and we have Many important questions this raises remain unanswered,” said Professor Joseph Wong, Vice-President International at the University of Toronto. PTI In a statement in Toronto

Mr. Wong said the University of Toronto is “proud to be home to more than 2,400 international students from India who enrich our classrooms and campus life,” and many students, faculty, staff, librarians and alumni. It belongs to India.

“We want to assure all affected members of our community, and especially international students, that you are welcome here and we are committed to your well-being,” he said.

Mr. Wong added that the university is committed to its “long-standing partnership” in India that supports academic collaboration across a wide range of disciplines and provides invaluable global learning opportunities for its students.

Rising through the diplomatic ranks

Earlier last week, India asked Canada to recall several dozen diplomats from its missions, amid a diplomatic row that erupted after Mr. Trudeau’s accusation.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arndam Bagchi has said that discussions on ways to reach a mutual diplomatic presence are ongoing and has given a clear indication that India will not revise its position on the issue.

According to ICEF Monitor, a market intelligence resource for the global education industry, there were 320,000 Indian students with active study permits at the end of December 2022, up 47 percent from the previous year.

“By the end of 2022, nearly four out of every ten foreign students in Canada were Indian students,” ICEF Monitor said.

Indian students described their difficulties as no different from being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

He spoke about the hardships his family and parents in India endured to send him abroad for higher education.

“Parents have to sell properties, land, take huge loans to pay for their children’s higher education in Canada,” the students pointed out.

“Our parents spent a lot to send us to Canada for education. We hoped that after coming here, we would not take a single penny from our parents and instead be able to support our families financially. There was hope of getting good jobs that would sustain us and enable us to take care of our families in India. We are not able to do that,” Mayank said.

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