Work on a new centre will start in the spring, and the finished building will span over 5,000 feet.

“We want to help these students on their path to success”

It will include a student lounge for orientation and information sessions, as well as facilities for advising and counselling services, and study visa/work permit support.

The college currently has 1,100 international students from 60 different countries studying there this autumn, and the existing centre has reach its capacity as the number of international students at the institution rises.

Keith Segal, president and founder of guard.me, announced the $400,000 contribution at the 20th annual President’s Reception.

“International students are very courageous to move to a new country and study in a language other than their native tongue. They are ambitious and want to build a better future for themselves through a well-rounded education,” he said.

“At guard.me, we want to help these students on their path to success and the support services they will receive in the international centre play an important role in that.”

President and CEO of the college, MaryLynn West-Moynes, said she is grateful to guard.me for their support.

“Their investment will help us create a multi-purpose, student-centric space to welcome and support more international students, while also informing the global perspective of our domestic students,” she said.

“Internationalisation is an essential part of the overall postsecondary experience.”

Georgian College has over 125 career-focused programmes across seven locations in central Ontario in Canada. It currently sees around 11,000 full-time student and 28,000 part-time student registrations a year.

guard.me have also recently partnered with a2 international fairs in Turkey to help build a school library in the village of Yesilli, situated in the Turkish province of Mardin.