For Chimerem Amiaka (BScKin ’20, MSc ’23), the chance to speak at a national meeting of post-secondary institutions was more than a career milestone; it was a platform to advocate for international students and highlight their contributions to Canada.

“I was very honoured to share my perspective as a former international student and now a permanent resident,” says the Brock University Applied Health Sciences PhD student. “I had access to an audience of senior administrators who really care about students and have the ability to make changes in supporting students.”

She was one of four student ambassadors — two from Brock University — who presented at the Alliance of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities (ACCRU) annual general meeting in late May.

A panel discussion following the presentations explored the impacts of last year’s cap on international student study permits, such as drops in revenue, job loss and academic program cuts in post-secondary institutions.

During his presentation, Computer Science master’s student Sarfaroz Yunusov raised questions about supports and investments that could help Canada meet its research, workforce and immigration needs and encouraged small and mid-sized universities to collaborate in coping with recent immigration policy changes.

“International students play critical roles in research, innovation and academic success,” Yunusov says, pointing to the high concentration of international students working in research labs.

“If institutions don’t act quickly to help students navigate and overcome the challenges created by rapid policy changes, Canada risks losing its competitive advantage in the global race for talent,” he says.

Applied Health Sciences PhD student Chimerem Amiaka (left), Acting Vice-President, Research Michelle McGinn (centre) and Computer Sciences master’s student Sarfaroz Yunusov (right) attended the Alliance of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities annual general meeting at the end of May. Amiaka and Yunusov gave presentations on the impacts of reduced international student enrolments at the event.

During her presentation, Amiaka told ACCRU attendees about the many services Brock provided when she was trying to figure out what she describes as an overwhelming maze of paperwork to secure her study permits and eventually gain permanent residency.

One of these supports is Brock International’s immigration advising team, which stepped in to help when the federal government instituted a new requirement for prospective students to obtain provincial attestation letters (PAL) confirming they have been given a spot to study in a province or territory.

“The immigration advising team worked closely with Admissions when PALs were first introduced to ensure a process was in place as early as possible,”  Amiaka says. “They have also collaborated with Admissions, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, and ESL Services to revise the PAL process in line with the new 2025 rules.”

Amiaka, who calls herself a “Brock lifer,” has been assisting international students since her undergraduate student days, when she was a volunteer helping her peers select their courses and settle into the Brock community.

As a master’s and PhD student, she has helped to support international students’ logistical, spiritual and social needs through Brock’s Friendship for Overseas College and University Students (FOCUS) club.

Amiaka has also worked with Brock International to develop a tip sheet to help international students settle into the Brock and Niagara communities.

She says ongoing support for international students is crucial as it allows them to focus their time and energy on their academics and research.

Brock’s Acting Vice-President, Research Michelle McGinn says Amiaka’s and Yunusov’s presentations and advocacy work “put the spotlight on the valued contributions of international students make.”

“When the call went out to the entire ACCRU network seeking graduate students to present, it was no surprise to me that that all four volunteers had experience as international or exchange students,” she says. “As Brock’s International Strategic Plan emphasizes, international engagement expands perspectives and possibilities, and it creates agents of change.”

ACCRU is a network in all 10 provinces and Yukon that shares information, resources and strategies to support research excellence in small and medium-sized comprehensive universities.