The IC Global Café: Spotlight on Canada: What lessons can we learn?

What can we learn from Canada? Join us for our next IC Global Café, where we will place a spotlight on the profound shifts and mounting challenges in Canada’s international education sector. This session will deep-dive into the immediate and long-term consequences of recent policy changes, including the study permit cap and dramatic declines in visa approval rates, and their impact on institutional sustainability and Canada’s talent pipeline. We will explore how Canadian institutions are responding and what the future opportunities are for their international student recruitment and broader internationalisation strategies within the evolving national and global context.

This essential discussion will offer actionable insights for those working in our sector who may be facing similar challenges to those currently being experienced in Canada and who are seeking a holistic, stable, and sustainable path forward.

Facilitator & Expert speakers

Facilitator:

• Sirin Myles, Co-founder and Director, The IC Global Partnership

Expert speakers:

• Ken Withers, Director of University Student Recruitment, University of Toronto

University of Toronto’s Director of University Student Recruitment, Ken Withers is a seasoned higher education leader with more than 40 years of experience in enrolment management, student recruitment, and strategic growth initiatives across Canada’s postsecondary sector.

Throughout his distinguished career, Ken has held leadership roles at several respected institutions, including York University, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Yorkville University, where he previously served as Vice President. Over 23 years in the private postsecondary sector, he successfully led enrolment management strategies for a variety of consortium institutions, consistently helping organisations achieve and exceed enrolment targets.

Recognised as an expert in Strategic Enrolment Management, Ken is known for his entrepreneurial approach and ability to develop innovative recruitment opportunities that strengthen institutional growth and student engagement. His passion for education and student success continues to shape meaningful pathways for prospective learners.

• Douglas Proctor, Assistant Vice President – Global Engagement & Partnerships, York University

Douglas Proctor is Assistant Vice-President, Global Engagement and Partnerships at York University, where he leads the development and implementation of the University’s internationalisation and global engagement strategy. A Senior Fellow of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), Douglas holds a PhD in international higher education from the University of Melbourne.

Douglas is Chair-Elect of NAFSA’s International Education Leadership Knowledge Community in 2026. He has taught a module on partnerships for NAFSA’s Executive Internationalisation Leadership e-Institute in 2025-2026. In addition, he regularly delivers training on strategic planning for internationalisation for the European Association for International Education (EAIE).