Date: June 16, 2020
Time: 10:00  – 11:00 a.m. PDT
Format: Online via GoToWebinar
Hosted By: BCCIE and Trade Commissioner Service, Global Affairs Canada
Cost: Free

Chile Background

Chile is a small economy compared to most other Southern American countries – 19,100,000 inhabitants with a median age of 35.3. The Chilean education system is a mix of public and private schools with the majority of children attending municipality run primary and secondary education supported by a nationally approved curricula. Post-secondary education is also a mix of private and public technical, colleges, and universities. University education is expensive in comparison to average family income and the government has undertaken a major revision of its scholarship system to support the inclusion of students from lower income families. Previous to the COVID crisis the Government administered a scholarship program for postgrad students to study abroad. However, because of the current situation, this program is on hold for the moment. Canadian universities have received a small share of these students (79 scholarships between 2017-2019). The Embassy has been actively advocating the advantages of studying in Canada to ANID, the scholarship granting agency, with promising results given the increase of approvals  in 2019. The ELAP and Canada Chile Leadership Exchange Program are very popular with an average of 60 short term exchanges per year. The record attendance at the EduCanada Fair held in September 2019 indicates a growing interest from the part of Chilean students for the Canadian technical and higher education offer.

Given the current context, and until international travel is reinstated, Canadian educational institutions would be well advised to focus on online courses to complement the curricula of Chilean colleges and universities. Online English and French courses are also in demand but very competitive.

Peru Background

Peru is one of the top three fastest-growing markets in Latin America (together with Colombia and Bolivia) in sending students to Canada, doubling the number of study permits issued in the last four years, from 530 in 2016 to 1,050 in 2019. Many Peruvians are interested in international education opportunities for themselves and their families, and students with international travel experience are more likely to act on their desire to study abroad. There are opportunities for language programs, graduate and postgraduate degrees, due to a growing demand in Peru for workers with relevant technical degrees. Peruvians also perceive education in Canada as a pathway for immigration. The number of agreements between Canadian and Peruvian post-secondary institutions has grown from 15 in 2012 to more than 70 in 2019, increasing opportunities for student mobility. In addition, more than 300 Peruvian students have benefitted from Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program scholarships since 2009. Many Peruvian universities are also seeking partnerships to develop research projects on key sectors such as mining, water and agriculture, among others.

Please join Chile's and Peru’s Trade Commissioners responsible for international education, to learn about contemporary market intelligence, key data, trends, developments, opportunities, and analysis on the issues currently impacting the Chilean and Peruvian education sectors. Our presentation will be followed by a Q&A.

Key takeaways

• Chile's and Peru’s education sectors at a glance – develop a better understanding of the education market in Chile and Peru with key data on student mobility and a regional market overview. 
• Education and business during COVID-19 – share current developments impacting the education sector in Chile and Peru, including international mobility.
• Post COVID-19 trends and opportunities – identify possible partnership opportunities and market strategies in Chile's and Peru’s education sector. 

Presenters

• Diego Urbina Fletcher, Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Canada, Peru
• Priscilla L­­ópez, Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Canada, Chile
• Margot Edwards, Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Canada, Chile