SUBJECT: EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
PURPOSE: This briefing note is a recommendation for changes in policy pertaining to undergraduate credentials obtained domestically and abroad.
ISSUE: There is not enough regulation on undergraduate degrees.
Background:
University undergrads work hard for their degrees within any educational institution they ascertain their credentials. It is these degrees that act as a method these individuals can gain employment as skilled professionals. There are many types of arts undergraduate degrees of which include and are not limited to Criminology, Political Science and Sociology. There are also sciences such as Chemistry and Physics. People completing these said degrees ascertain a title such as, “BA” or “BSc” following their legal name. The issue with undergraduate degrees lies with the regulation of such title. Having such title should require graduates to uphold a standard. This standard is taught in university however, it is not followed up post graduation. Students are not encouraged to update their knowledge which causes them to fall short of the standard. This then results in a loss of opportunities in employment. Further, many graduates do not gain employment in their field of study. As a matter of fact, according to CBS News, many Americans do not work in the field that they prepared for. There were 2143 workers surveyed and 47% of these respondents specified that they did not find a first job that was related to their college major. Furthermore, 32% of college grads said that they never had worked in a field related to their major. These people end up wasting the resources and the years they had spent in university. An undergraduate degree can take nearly 4 years to complete and according to Statista its average cost in 2020- 2021 in America is $22,180 for public in-stage education and $38,640 out of- state. Clearly these amounts are significant for the struggling undergrad. As a matter of fact, as per US News, the average bachelor’s degree holder takes 21 years to fully pay off their student loans. Shouldn’t action be taken to protect the investment of these students?
As with domestic students, there are international undergrads and graduates that come overseas to immigrate and integrate into Canada. Many of these people experience the same problems as domestic undergrads and are forced to work menial jobs unrelated to their degree because they are unable to transfer their credentials in a streamlined way. For private institutions, the Private Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) once regulated the transfer of skills from abroad in the nursing field. They ensured that qualified institutions met minimum standards of quality and consumer protection for accreditation. This institution has since been dissolved into the Ministry of Advanced Education. It is institutions such as the mentioned that have the technical know-how to allow these international graduates to at least gain some social leverage in Canada with the education they have received abroad. International grads experience immense struggles as a result of not being able to have at least some of their education recognized in Canada. These international graduates have the knowledge of foreign countries which can serve Canada in an effective way. The utility here is that in a world of globalization, these graduates can contribute their intel to Canadian corporations with regards to their country of origin. For example, a Canadian pharmaceutical company such as Apotex or Bausch Health want to proliferate the Indian market with a branch headed therein. India is known for their production of pharmaceutical drugs and medicine. The mentioned company would be well advised by an Indian immigrant with the credentials obtained in an Indian university. They would not only be well advised but, they would reduce expenses researching Indian pharmaceutical company business model. Another example could include, foreign disputes with the Canadian and Chinese government. The Canadian government can gain an upper hand by employing a Chinese immigrant with credentials obtained from a Chinese university. This will not only help Canada understand the Chinese perspective, but it will also allow Canada to foresee China’s action. It therefore becomes evident that international graduates have utility and thus, a streamlined service must be conjured up as globalization takes place.
Considerations:
Education in Canada is provided publicly and is funded by and overseen in cooperation with provincial, territorial and local governments. Education is within the provinces jurisdiction and curriculums are overseen by the province. Education in Canada is divided into to primary education, secondary education and post- secondary education. The Ministry of Education has district school boards administering educational programs. Education is compulsory up to the age of 18. What is interesting to note here however is that primary and secondary education are streamlined for recognition whereas post- secondary education has many hurdles. As mentioned, institutions such as the aforementioned PCTIA, have the technical know-how to streamline the recognition of education ascertained abroad.
As it pertains to domestic undergrads and international graduates, we propose that a regulatory body be created and tasked with the effort to regulate interested people to protect their investment. We also suggest that such regulatory body assume the role to license, “Social Scholar,” a title these people would bear after licensure. Such title would require the task force to create a Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics to ensure consumer protection. The value of the title of, “Social Scholar,” lies with the employer who will valuate the applicant’s expertise upon hire. So as not to degrade the pay rates of currently received by established degrees, these “Social Scholars,” should negotiate a salary with potential employers.
The main barrier to such method of action are funds. Were does start up capital come from and who will employ such, “Social Scholars”? Membership fees can cover operating costs and as time persist, a yearly due can be charged for membership which both can assist in reducing overhead cost of start up. Further, it is likely that private investment may be necessary. As for who will hire such, “Social Scholar,” a task force needs to market the title to employers in an adequate way so that they may see the value in having such personnel in their company. For example, a university can employ these, “Social Scholars,” to take their programs and they can act as, “mystery students,” so that the curriculum can be updated in the face of competing globalization. As a matter of fact, the employing of foreign talent is not a new practice. In WW2, the USA took in and hired German refugees and used their intel to retaliate against hostile forces, effectively winning the war. Canadian students need to be well prepared to take on a world where countries are vying for dominance. We as North Americans need to be prepared to protect the fundamental values of the free world which is why we need, “Social Scholars,” to aid us in our pursuit to best foreign entities that try to penetrate our shores. It is tragedies in our contemporary world such as what is transpiring in Hong Kong that give the administration clues as to the loss of citizen freedom. The main stakeholders for this matter are the undergrads, the foreign undergrads and graduates, educational institutions, the government and corporations.
Options:
Option 1: Create a regulatory body, a college of undergraduates.
Of all the options available, this is the least feasible. Creating a regulatory body would commence with a task force and it would require a large sum of taxpayer money to start. However, a regulatory body that specializes in educational credentials would certainly be more experienced than having the bloated Ministry of Advanced Education handle the matter of regulating such titles as BA or BSc. Regardless, undergrads would benefit the most from this option as further value can be gained from having licensure. It would protect their investment but would also ensure that these people maintain their knowledge which essentially protects the consumer. Moreover, these domestic students can choose to gain qualification under said regulatory body as, “Social Scholars,” which would provide them with further opportunities for autonomy. As for international graduates, having a streamlined service to recognize their education as, “Social Scholar,” would significantly benefit Canada’s competitive edge in the world stage. Therefore, this option would be the most sustainable. From an equity perspective, both domestic undergrads and international graduates gain a social lever which can help them further attain relevant employment in their chosen field of study.
Option 2: Mandate ethics courses for undergrads after completion of their degree.
By mandating further ethics courses, consumers would be further protected by the government. This option would thus give employers equity and it would protect their interest. This option is very feasible as universities are already well equipped to provide such courses. This is very sustainable as it serves to protect the very values of educated professionals. This option will only result in better services.
Option 3: Mixture of options 1 and 2.
This option requires a lot of cooperation therefore it is least feasible than the pervious two options. However, by having a regulatory body and the mandating of ethics courses, the government can ensure that unethical practice would be reduced which essentially protects the employer and the citizens. This option is the most sustainable as it would ensure that Canada’s offering on the world stage would retain its competitive edge. Our esteemed domestic undergrads and international graduates would be well served if this option is selected, as their practice would not onky be competent but purposeful.
Option 4: Status quo.
This is the most feasible option however, it does a disservice to the cause of post-secondary education. It would not enhance the standing of any domestic undergraduate or international graduate. Maintaining the status quo, would continue to reduces the equity for both categories. For domestic students, their competency could be reduced as time passes, and the Ministry of Advanced education has no way currently to determine if the education these people received is even still viable. As for international graduates, they would continue to be forced into working menial jobs not related to their line of study. As globalization takes place, Canada needs ways to stay competitive and selecting this option would allow competing nations to exploit this deficiency and essentially overtake Canada’s offerings in a few decades.
Recommendation:
Option one is recommended.
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