Last week in Moscow, officials from Languages Canada, representing the interests of French and English language schools across the country, signed an Agreement of Collaboration with the Association of Russian Educational Advisors (AREA). It is hoped that the deal will eventually pave the way for enhanced visa processing for Russian students and increased student enrolments. The Canadian Ambassador presided at the event.
Languages Canada announced that the tie-up was “the first of its kind in Russia”, and it will see both organisations develop a framework that “fosters trust in order to facilitate trade and educational exchange”. Ambassador John Sloan hosted the signing ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow and the President of Languages Canada, Calum MacKechnie, and the Chairman of AREA, Andrei Arsentiev, signed the agreement.
“We know that language is the foundation of a quality education,” stated Ambassador Sloan during the ceremony. “Language is also a key factor in the exchange of trade, culture and ideas which is fundamental to a strong and productive relationship between Russia and Canada.”
Each year 1,735 Russian students attend accredited language programmes in Canada. With this agreement, both associations are hoping to double that number in the next few years and are committed to “creating practices that foster the trust of students and our respective governments in order to facilitate trade and, in particular, resolve visa issues”.
The Association of Russian Educational Advisors (AREA) was founded in 2007 and unites leading education consultancy agencies in Russia, with 22 members. Languages Canada has around 160 members.