Calgary, 5 December 2023 – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary successfully organized a forum with the Filipino international students studying in Calgary, Alberta, last 2 December 2023.
Consul General Zaldy B. Patron (center), Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen (left) and Acting Executive Director Paul Gaudette of the Ministry of Advanced Education (right) listen to questions during the open forum of the “Kapihan at Paskuhan sa Konsulado with the Filipino International Students.”
Dubbed “Kapihan at Paskuhan sa Konsulado with the Filipino International Students,” the forum allowed the international students to know the programs and services of the Alberta Government and of the four (4) not-for-profit organizations in Calgary.
Forty-one (41) international students from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University, and the University of Calgary joined the event.
Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen spoke about the features of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
Acting Executive Director Paul Gaudette of the Ministry of Advanced Education explained the programs of the Ministry to protect the international students. He disclosed that the number of Filipino international students in Alberta had grown from 575 in school year 2018-2019 to 4,255 during school year 2022-2023.
The Centre for Newcomers, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth and the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, all not-for-profit organizations based in Calgary, also presented their programs and services for the Filipino community, which could also benefit the Filipino international students and their family members.
In organizing the event, Consul General Zaldy Patron said, “We are aware that our Filipino international students are facing certain challenges.”
“Through this Kapihan at Paskuhan sa Konsulado, we were able to connect them with the two ministries of the Alberta Government dealing with their concerns and also introduce them to the not-for-profit organizations that could offer them some social services. Lastly, the event enabled them to network with their fellow international students from other schools,” he added.
The Filipino international students who came to the forum received Christmas presents in the form of gift certificates to Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets courtesy of Hi-Flyer Food (Canada), Inc.
During the event, they were also treated with refreshments from Seafood City and Maverick’s Donuts.
(From top left clockwise, Consul General Zaldy B. Patron, Minister Muhammad Yaseen, and Acting Executive Director Paul Gaudette of the Ministry of Advanced Education with representatives of the not-for-profit groups and the Filipino international students from Bow Valley College and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology).