CANADA

Canadian Education Centre Malaysia
Suite 18.03, 18th Floor. Wisma MCA
163. Jalan Ampang
50460 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-2162 2901
Fax:603-2162 2932
Email: ecm@tm.net.my
Website: www.studycanada.ca/malaysia

Canada is the second largest country in the world and offers the highest quality of living as proclaimed by recent United Nations surveys. Its high quality and affordable cost of education, multicultural population and natural beauty offers a healthy and welcoming environment to international students.

Canada is a commonwealth country but the system of education is similar to the one in the United States. There is no one single education system but each province / territory has either a Ministry or Department of Education responsible for education systems under its jurisdiction. These include all level of studies in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Generally, the Ministry or Department sets out broad guidelines for educational institutions to adhere to but matters such as courses offered, admission requirements, application procedures and tuition fees are normally determined by individual institutions.

The Canadian education system is structured to ensure that all students have access to basic education. It offers a broad learning environment and at the same time provides for flexibility in learning. The learning system is based on the premise of encouraging students to think independently and maximizing their learning potential and interests.

There are about ninety universities in Canada all of which are government regulated and therefore maintain very high standards of education. It is therefore not surprising that Canadian University degrees are amongst the most widely recognized in the world. The Universities are by themselves centers of excellence for research. information / technology development and genetic breakthroughs.

University campuses play a major role in the towns and cities where they are located thereby not only taking on the role of learning and cultural centre but also recreational, educational, and economic focal points. The universities offer superb library facilities, clubs, social activity entertainment and sports facilities to not only students but also the population living around the campus. Many support systems exist on campus to meet the individual student's needs. There are health services, student and peer assistance groups, academic / personal / religious guidance counselors and international student advisers v/ho can provide assistance to international students.
Today, Malaysian students are present in most Canadian universities and they are always ready to help newcomers settle in.

The University-Colleges are a new breed of Canadian institutions offering a variety of programs including partial or full degree programs. They grew out of the community colleges, which serve the communities in their area. The growing sphere of education and the increased demand for advanced level programs from their communities resulted in the evolvement to their current status. These institutions are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia offering full three and four year degree programs in addition to other academic and technical programs on campus. In most situations, the degree programs are offered in conjunction with local universities with some award their own degrees.

Community College is a general term used to describe a variety of post secondary institutions e.g. Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Institutes of Technology. Regional Colleges, Vocational Centers, etc. These institutions receive some funding from the provincial governments. Generally, these colleges offer a wide range of programs including academic and technical certificate and diploma programs. Some of them also offer college upgrading and ESL courses, which are for those students who lack the minimum qualifications to enter a post secondary institution. In addition, a number of these colleges in Alberta and British Columbia offer the one or two year University Transfer Program. Students admitted to these programs register for courses that are equivalent to the first and second year courses at universities and thereafter can apply for transfer to the third year at a university.

In the elementary and secondary educational systems, one can choose from a number of options. The most popular being the public or government funded schools. Students can also opt to study at private or independent schools where students pay for their tuition and in some cases, boarding facilities are included. However, regardless of the type of school, students begin their forma schooling at the age of four or five when they enter kindergarten or pre school programs. On completion of this, the student enters an elementary school followed by junior or high school. Students are aged between 17 or 18 years when they graduate from high school. With the exception of private visa schools, the academic year normally begins in September and ends in June.

International students can also choose to study at private schools that cater primarily for international students. These schools offer many intakes a year and therefore enabling students from Malaysia to begin a program at the beginning of the calendar year. These schools usually offer the upper secondary school programs as well as English as a second language programs (ESL). In the case of students from Malaysia, the seven / eight month Pre-University program (Fast Track Program) is very popular especially amongst students who have completed the Form Five / SPM. Students can proceed to Canada to begin the Pre-University program in January immediately after completing their SPM examinations. This enables students to complete their final year of secondary school in time to begin University or College studies in September the same year. Some of these schools have also gone on to offer first year university studies or a University Transfer program.

The Canadian education system emphasizes total development of the student through its broad- based education where they are encouraged to think independently and develop analytical skills thereby instilling the confidence and assertiveness to work to their full potential.

Besides this, studying at a Canadian University is one of the most affordable with tuition fees starting from C$10.000 (Rm 35,000) for an Arts or Science program and C$11.000 (RM 38,500) for an Engineering program.

The majority of Canadian universities are funded by the Canadian government and there is no official ranking of these Universities. However, the quality of the Universities curriculum is constantly monitored by various bodies and professional organizations such as Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry. Council of Canadian Law Deans, Canadian Federation of Business School Deans and etc. Students are therefore assured of high quality education with Canadian university degrees being of world class standard and recognized worldwide. Many Canadian graduates are readily recruited by companies and organizations in other countries particularly in the US because of Canada's renowned reputation for its education standards.

Admission Requirements to Canadian Universities

The admission of students from outside Canada is determined by individual institutions. A student from a Commonwealth country will usually be considered eligible for admission to a university in Canada if he / she has completed the final year of high school or has the standing prescribed for admission lo universities in their own country.
For example. Malaysian students are encouraged to apply to Canadian universities if they have completed STPM / GCE Advanced level with a minimum of two principal passes in the appropriate subjects or the Canadian Pre-University or Matriculation (OSSD), Australian Matriculation (SAM / TEE) or the UEC.

International students are required to show proof of proficiency in English by taking the TOEFL or the IELTS. The required TOEFL or IELTS scores vary from one institution to another but the minimum IBT TOEFL is score of 79 to 100 whilst the IELTS is a band of 6.0 to 7.5. Students, who do not meet the TOEFL or IELTS requirements. will be required to complete an English as a Second Language (ESL) program in accredited Canadian institution.

Accommodation

There is a wide range of student accommodation available in Canada Many post secondary institutions offer hostel type residences, apartments or even houses. These carrpus residences are either on or off site, can be taken on single or shared basis The residences come with meal plans (or cooking facilities), laundry and recreation facilities. Students who prefer ofl campus type housing can opt to stay in apartments / homes or rent a room in a family home. Most post secondary institutions have a housing registry to assist students in locating these types of accommodation.
Usually international students under the age of 18 or high school students are required to stay in school boarding facilities cr a homestay with a Canadian host family

Transportation

Canada has an elficient and extensive public transportation system. which includes buses. Light Rail Transit systems and trains Students can purchase student tickets or monthly passes at reasonable rates and usually unlimited access anywhere within the city limits during the month. Students can also ride bicycles en specially constructed "bike paths'' especially within and just outside the campus surroundings to ensure safety

Employment

Students study in Canada on a Study Permit (Student Visa) have several opportunities to work in Canada as follows:
• Part-time work on-campus in a public post secondary institution
• Work off-campus up to 20 hours a week if you have already studied 6 months at a public post secondary institution
• Enroll in a co-op program where the work term is a required part of your study
• Work as a Teaching Assistant (mostly applicable for graduate students only)
• Upon graduation from a university or a community college, work at a job related to your field of study lor a period of 1 - 2 years

Visa (Study Permit) Procedures

International students going to Canada for further studies are required to apply for a Study Permit - the official term for a student visa. Application forms for Study Permit can be downloaded from the official Citizenship and Immigration Canada website or obtained from the High Commission of Canada or the Canadian Education Centre Malaysian students are allowed to submit their Study Permit applications through the Canadian Education Centre (CEC). Study Permits are normally issued for the length of the program out will depend on a number of factors including the validity of the student's passport.

In order to obtain a Study Permit, the applicant must show evidence of acceptance by a Canadian educational institution approved by the Canadian Employment and Immigration Commission The applicant must be of good health and character and must have sufficient funds to live and study in Canada including return transportation and an international passport valid for at least one year.

Students planning to study in the province of Quebec, will be required to obtain a Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) from the Quebec government and a Study Permit from the government of Canada. Application forms for a CAQ are available at educational institutions in Quebec. A processing fee is incurred

Canadian Education Centre

The Canadian Education Centre otherwise known as the CEC. is an information and counseling center for further studies in Canada. It is one of a network of 17 CECs around the world supported by the Canadian Government. The CECs primary role is to provide information on study opportunities in Canada as well as general information about life in Canada The CECs Canadian trained Education Counselors assist students in seeking out suitable accredited institution to continue their studies. The CEC has a resource area which displays prospectuses and brochures of a myriad of Canadian Institutions ranging from Universities to English Language Institutes. The CEC also offers assistance with sending applications for admissions for undergraduate studies, applying for visa (Study Permit) for Malaysian students as well as Pre-departure briefings.