Expansion of Saskatchewan Colleges international partnership
SWIFT CURRENT, SK – In October 2021 an international student recruitment and admissions partnership was established between multiple regional colleges under the umbrella of Saskatchewan Colleges, with a collective goal to enhance the reputation of Saskatchewan regional colleges in the international student market. In its three years, the legacy project has helped recruit over 900 international students from more than 30 countries to the partner institutions. Great Plains, North West and Suncrest colleges are proud to continue building on this success and announce the addition of Carlton Trail College to the Saskatchewan Colleges partnership.
“Welcoming Carlton Trail to the Saskatchewan Colleges partnership will allow us to build from our foundational knowledge and collective expertise to successfully attract international students to rural Saskatchewan,” explained Great Plains College’s Vice-President, Programs and Students, Keleah Ostrander. “It will also enable Saskatchewan Colleges to grow its recruitment and admissions capacity in a collaborative and cost-effective manner.”
“Colleges in rural Saskatchewan collectively pride themselves on providing personal, positive educational experiences for their students that have a strong pathway to employment in areas of provincial need such as healthcare, trades, and early childhood education,” said Kami DePape, Vice-President of Partnerships & Innovation at Suncrest College.
Dr. Eli Ahlquist, President and CEO at North West College echoed this sentiment, stating “With increased scrutiny and changing policy within the international education landscape, the partnership is integral to ensure we continue to attract international students and in turn, enhance domestic access to programs, enriching the experiences of all learners on campus, and educating more skilled graduates that will contribute to our communities and the economy.”
Recruitment efforts for all four institutions will begin in October 2024, led by Saskatchewan Colleges Manager of International and Admissions, Kristy Sletten, along with support staff from each partner college.
“We are pleased to have earned our Designated Learning Institution status this year, allowing us to join this partnership,” said Amy Yeager, President and CEO of Carlton Trail College. “We look forward to working with Great Plains, North West and Suncrest to bring the first international students to Carlton Trail next fall.”
For more information about Saskatchewan Colleges, including program and admissions information for the 2025-26 academic year, please visit https://saskcolleges.ca/.