Concerted effort needed to attract and retain talented students in Montreal

Young people who choose Montreal as their destination to study are part of a growing, highly mobile and highly talented work force. But when looking to start a career, these international graduates face a lot of choices and staying in Montreal is not always an option.

That needs to change, says Concordia President Alan Shepard.

“What matters more than ever is recruiting and retaining these young people into our communities – and that is where partnerships with universities can be beneficial,” he told an audience of more than 300 guests at the May 22 luncheon of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada (ICCC).

He was introduced by two-time Concordia graduate and former Concordia governor Mackie Vadacchino and thanked by another Concordia graduate and member of ICCC’s board of directors, Tony Loffreda. Both expressed a profound affinity with their alma mater, which was featured in the video Concordia: Defining the next-generation university before Shepard took to the podium.

In his speech, Shepard acknowledged that Montreal attracts terrific people to study here. Yet the city has one of the lowest hiring rates of university graduates in Canada. For the 18- to 25-year-old crowd, Montreal has a net population gain. Beyond age 25, however, it’s a net loss.

“So we’re effectively educating people for other cities,” he said. “We need to fix that.”

He then outlined four possible solutions on how to do just that.

First, said Shepard, we need to step up the courtship of newcomers by providing better information, projecting a warmer vibe, and giving Montreal more control over immigration.

“When a potential immigrant visits our websites, it would be great if they felt as if we were reaching out from the computer screen to shake their hand and welcome them,” he said, citing New York City’s website as a prime example of successfully laying out the welcome mat.

Secondly, he suggested creating financial incentives for international students to stay. “If international students secure jobs in Quebec after graduating, why not retroactively reduce their tuition to the in-province rate?” he asked.

Shepard’s third idea was to create an integrated program called “Discover Quebec”, which would help students from outside Quebec integrate here.

“What if we showed students a well-lighted pathway toward French competency, so that by the time they graduate, they have the tools to stay here. Students could follow a coherent, well organized “Discover Québec” program during their entire course of study, not just for a summer,” he said.

Finally, Shepard challenged those in attendance to become part of the solution to  helping newcomers to integrate to life in Montreal.

“Just as you would shake hands with a new neighbour, you can help in this grand project whatever line of work you’re in. A promotional offer, maybe, or sponsoring an event popular with new Montrealers,” says Shepard. “Helping newcomers make a life here requires all of us.”

Watch the video: