The Winnipeg-based college noticed a global enrolment decline of 55% this educational yr, “making the present monetary mannequin unsustainable,” mentioned Neil Cooke, president and CEO. He just lately notified college students in an announcement that MITT would stop operations.
Cooke blamed the cap imposed by the federal Liberal authorities in January 2024. “These modifications have created uncertainty for college students and post-secondary establishments throughout Canada and despatched a message overseas that worldwide college students aren’t valued right here,” he mentioned.
College students already enrolled at MITT will be capable of full their research. Some could switch to Crimson River Faculty Polytech, Cooke mentioned.
Increased schooling advisor Ken Steele was not stunned by the choice. “MITT is the primary time we’ve seen a public school in Canada fully closed down by its provincial authorities, however I think it gained’t be the final,” he advised The PIE Information.
MITT is the primary time we’ve seen a public school in Canada fully closed down by its provincial authorities, however I think it gained’t be the final
Ken Steele, greater schooling advisor
The board of Memorial College of Newfoundland has additionally voted to promote its campus in Harlow, England, together with a number of different properties. The college has used the abroad web site for the reason that Sixties, however has discovered that prices are rising whereas enrolments are falling. Memorial plans to shut its campus in England by August 31.
“We’re taking a disciplined, intentional method to monetary stewardship so Memorial’s sources are directed the place they’ve essentially the most monetary impression,” Justin Ladha, chair of the Board of Regents, introduced.
Memorial noticed a 23.5% drop within the variety of worldwide college students final fall. In spring 2025, it was compelled to make nearly CAD $21 million in cuts.
Submit-secondary establishments throughout the nation have been struck. Steele is monitoring the devastation, reporting that CAD $5.7bn in post-secondary revenues has been misplaced to this point. Consequently, he says that greater than 17,000 jobs have disappeared.
Public schools in Ontario have been essentially the most depending on worldwide tuition revenues and due to this fact are the toughest hit. Steele says that Conestoga Faculty, based mostly in Kitchener, Ontario, has slashed greater than 2,500 positions over the previous two years.
The worst is but to return, Steele believes. “Many small campuses and small schools in distant areas are combating enrolment amid difficult demographics. Merging smaller establishments makes plenty of sense – as has been instructed by quite a few authorities critiques during the last decade or two,” he mentioned.
“Within the face of multibillion-dollar losses in income for Canada’s schools and universities, provincial authorities like Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia are endeavor critiques of their funding formulation,” Steele mentioned. Nonetheless, they’ve said that no new funds can be accessible.
He urged provinces to let home tuition charges enhance to present post-secondary establishments additional cash. “It might even be useful if provincial funding may incentivise extra collaboration, as an alternative of ever-heightening competitors,” he mentioned.
