Financially, culturally supporting international students contributes to EDI goals: Editorial

In an editorial for University Affairs, Benjamin Maiangwa (Lakehead University), Antony Puddephatt (Lakehead), and Oluwatomi Akinyede argue that the federal government’s failure to financially support its international students has serious consequences for the pursuit of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the postsecondary sector. The authors contend that the unique costs incurred by international students, coupled with their lack of access to financial assistance programs, place these students at a financial disadvantage. As a result, they have more difficulty integrating into the Canadian workforce post-graduation. The writers conclude that providing international students with graduate assistantships or scholarships would contribute to EDI goals, while enriching the overall education experience for all.