St. Catharines Standard reporter Victoria Nicolaou spoke with Niagara College President Sean Kennedy about the financial implications of recent government restrictions on international students and work permit changes affecting NC.
Though fiscal prudence has left NC debt-free, President Kennedy says recent work permit changes pose further challenges for the future.
“This has had a huge impact on us and that’s the part that now we have to factor into our budget process for next year because there are the core sectors where we have strong international student interest, where those students will no longer be eligible for postgraduate work permits,” Kennedy said.
Despite these challenges, Kennedy emphasized that Niagara College’s history of fiscal prudence puts it in a stronger position to adapt to the changes, though the College is facing “stiff financial headwinds.”
“Unlike many colleges and universities, we have no debt,” said Kennedy. “And, of course, when budgets get tighter, it means that we’re not having to find dollars for debt servicing to pay interest and to make the debt payments,” he said. “We’re really focused on the opportunity that lies ahead for us and making sure that we’re maximizing those to help us navigate through these choppy financial waters.”
The article was syndicated across the Niagara dailies, including the Niagara Falls Review and Welland Tribune.
Read the St. Catharines Standard article here.
