BU sees surge in domestic applications

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/04/2024 (896 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon University is experiencing a surge in domestic student applications, signalling a post-pandemic “return to normalcy,” BU president David Docherty told the Sun.

“Our domestic numbers are up, almost 16 per cent higher than the previous year, reaching a five-year high,” Docherty said in an interview on Friday. “This surge reflects a positive shift, indicating a return to normalcy in course delivery and student participation.”

BU spokesperson Grant Hamilton said the applications increased from 931 in March 2023 to 1,069 as of March 15.

“Applications from Manitoba experienced a substantial uptick in applications, with a 15.8 per cent increase, reaching 955 applications compared to 825 at the same time last year,” Hamilton told the Sun in an email on Tuesday.

“Within Manitoba, Brandon has seen the most significant growth, with a 16.1 per cent increase in applications (highest in five years), totalling 367 compared to 316 from the previous year.”

Across all faculties and schools, he said, domestic applications are either up or consistent, with notable increases in arts (11 per cent), education (26 per cent), health studies (12 per cent) and science (14 per cent).

He added there has been a substantial rise in applications from students identifying as Indigenous, increasing by 29 per cent, which stands out as the highest figure in the past five years.

“This surge is observed across all faculties, with significant increases in arts (23 per cent), education (43 per cent), health studies (14 per cent), music (25 per cent) and science (42 per cent).

Hamilton attributed the surge to increased investment in recruitment promotions and advertising, including novel initiatives like a Black Friday deal, the return to in-person school visits and recruitment fairs, “providing a more engaging recruitment experience compared to the previous year, which was still navigating pandemic-related restrictions.”

However, he noted while applications are on the rise, “they don’t necessarily translate into registrations, and the numbers are subject to change as applications continue to be accepted. Thus, the number of new students expected to enrol in the fall may vary.”

Assiniboine Community College enrolment vice-president Danielle Adriaansen said there has been a similar trend at the college.

“We are seeing a small increase in applications from domestic students compared to last year,” she said.

Amid the rise in domestic enrollment, BU has encountered a decline in international student numbers, reflecting a trend observed across the post-secondary education sector.

Docherty attributed the decrease to restrictions imposed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, limiting the influx of international students into the country.

“Many institutions are reporting a decline in international student applications,” he said. “This trend is attributed to the perception among students in various countries, such as Nigeria, Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom and India, that Canada is imposing restrictions on international student intake.”

Docherty cited pressing concerns regarding visa denials for international students’ spouses, hindering their ability to work and contribute to the labour market.

“We welcome international students and want them to stay, to be part of the Manitoba economy,” Docherty added. The denial of work visas for spouses, he said, underscores broader immigration challenges that need to be addressed to foster inclusivity and meet labour market demands effectively.

The impact of COVID-19 on faculty members, the president said, has been significant, particularly regarding research-related travel, adding during the pandemic, faculty members on sabbatical were unable to travel for research purposes, hindering academic work that requires access to specialized archives or excavation sites in Europe, for instance.

“With travel restrictions easing, faculty members can resume their research activities, contributing to the academic vibrancy of the institution,” he said. “BU’s recruitment efforts have intensified, with recruiters actively engaging with high schools across western Manitoba, northern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan.”

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola