Canada has an unmatched education system with superior standards
Whether you wish to study language programmes, undergraduate or master's degrees, high school or college programmes, or even courses by distance learning, Canada has a tradition of excellence when it comes to education.
Multicultural society
In 2005 about 1,800 students from the GCC region pursued their studies in Canada. Some of the reasons why students and families choose Canada as their preferred study destination include its safe and multicultural society, value for money, internationally recognised and accredited degrees, and a tradition of academic excellence.
The United Nations has consistently ranked Canada as one of the top three places in the world to live. Canada earned high marks for its access to education, high life expectancy and low crime rates.
As the world's second-largest country, Canada offers tremendous geographic variety in a climate not nearly as cold as you might think. Visitors discover Pacific coastal mountains, sweeping prairies, sparkling skylines in sophisticated cities, the rugged beauty of the Atlantic region and much more.
National parks are located in every province and territory, and some have been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Canada is an international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation and engineering, specifically, aerospace, medical devices, advanced software, biotechnology, and ocean and environmental industries.
Canada was also among the first countries to connect schools and libraries to the Internet. Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages, English and French.
The majority of Canada's French-speaking inhabitants live in the province of Quebec. This province is located in the eastern part of the country, but there are French-speaking communities throughout the country.
Bilingual nation
As a bilingual nation, Canada offers superior English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) programmes for students wishing to learn either or both languages.
Canadians place great importance on learning, and have developed a first-rate education system with high standards.
The country spends more on education (as a percentage of Gross National Product) than the average for countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and spends the most on education among G-7 countries.
In Canada, education is regulated by each separate provincial government through individual ministries of education located in Canada's 10 provinces and three territories.
The ministries of education oversee smaller bodies called boards of education or district school boards, which, in turn, oversee the individual schools.Children begin their education in elementary school.
Elementary school starts with kindergarten for young children and runs through to grade six or eight. This is followed by secondary school, or high school.
In some provinces, high school is divided into junior high (grades seven to eight or nine) and senior high (grades nine or 10 to 12). Students must complete high school for admission to college or university.
The school normally runs from September through the following June but in some instances January intake dates are possible. Secondary schools go up to grade 11 or 12 depending on the province.
Teachers in all provinces must be qualified and licensed. All academic teachers have at least one university degree and special training in education.
Public schools
Most children in Canada attend public schools. Boys and girls share classrooms and are taught together in most public schools. The school children attend most often depends on where they live. In the public school system, a certain school services each region; children who live within that region will attend that school.
In some provinces, students from outside a school's region may apply to go to school there. This generally happens when a school has a reputation for excelling in a certain academic area.
About five per cent of students study at private schools run by independent operators, who must conform to government guidelines regarding education. Students attending a private school may come from many different areas. The schools may have dormitories for out-of-town and overseas students to live in.
There are more than 135 colleges located throughout the country. Historically colleges offered certificates and diplomas; however the majority of colleges in Canada now offer full degree programmes.
Colleges typically provide a more job-related curriculum than universities, featuring smaller classes, off-campus course delivery, a greater ratio of laboratory space to classroom space, a more interactive teaching style and more inclusive entry criteria.
Colleges in Canada belong to the Association of Community Colleges of Canada (ACCC).
Applied learning
University-colleges are a combination of an undergraduate university and a college of applied learning. A university-college allows the student to enter either a degree or a diploma programme.
Some diploma programmes, upon the completed of two years, allow students to move directly into the third year of a degree programme provided the student has sufficient grades. A university-college can also offer certificates and vocational programmes.
Canada offers a variety of higher-education options at its universities and university-colleges. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes offered in Canada as well as professional degree programmes and certificates.
Canadian government-funded universities are members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).
The academic year is September to April with two four-month semesters. Some universities offer spring and summer semesters. Although September is the typical start date, some universities allow students to begin studies in January.
When deciding on where to enrol for a graduate or master's degree programme it is always important to carefully select a school where a professor shares a similar research interest.
Graduate programmes involve in-depth research and in most cases involve a thesis component. Some master programmes require a minimum of two years of work experience as part of the admission selection.
Canada has a long history of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL). Summer language programmes, academic preparation programmes and customised training programmes are available. Several institutions offer conditional letters of acceptance for college and university admissions.
Short-term and long-term language programmes (one month to one year) are available. Students have the option of living with homestay families to experience and gain a greater understanding of Canadian culture.
Distance education
Canadian institutions have a long history of delivering distance education. Canada is a leader in the field of distance education technologies and techniques.
Distance education from Canadian government-funded institutions must meet the same high standards as classroom-based programmes. Distance education is available at all levels including master's, Ph.D, undergraduate degrees and diplomas, certificates, primary and secondary schools.
To learn more about studying in Canada visit www.canadainternational.gc.ca
Education seminars are offered regularly at the country's embassy in Abu Dhabi to provide additional information about studying in Canada.
The writer is Trade Commissioner ? Education and Training, Embassy of Canada, Abu Dhabi
