EduNova Annual Report 2020-2021

EduNova Annual Report 2020-2021

Resiliency

WE ARE ALL TREATY PEOPLE EduNova acknowledges that our office, our members, our students and our Nova Scotia-based partners are located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) People first signed with the British Crown in 1725.

The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources, but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

EduNova Annual Report 2020- 2021

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Table of Contents We Are All Treaty People

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Vision and Mission

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Message From Board Chair and Interim President and CEO

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Program & Project Highlights

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

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Study and Stay ™ Successes at a Glance

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Additional Initiatives

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We Celebrate Our Students

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We Celebrate Our Members

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Draft EduNova Statement of Financial Position

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EduNova Board of Directors 2020-21

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EduNova Operations Committee 2020-21

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Meet Our EduNova Team

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We Thank Our 2020-21 Members

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We Thank Our 2020-21 Partners

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We Thank Our Leaders

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VISION Transforming Nova Scotia through international education – where students study, stay and thrive.

MISSION We champion Nova Scotia as a leader in international student experience while advancing social and economic growth in our province.

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Message from the Board Chair and Interim President & CEO When EduNova adopted a new five-year strategic plan in 2019, few, if any, would have guessed that a global pandemic would have been the most significant factor influencing our second year.

While COVID-19 has certainly affected EduNova members in 2020-21, the fundamentals of international education in Nova Scotia, as promoted by EduNova on behalf of our members, remain constant: 1. A high-quality learning experience, whether at our post-secondary institutions, public schools, independent schools or language schools; 2. Warm, welcoming communities for young people to build lives, not only through their studies but by staying after graduation; 3. Helping international students who wish to stay in Nova Scotia after graduation find good local jobs in their field of study; and 4.

Connecting Nova Scotia students with global learning experiences, in turn making them ambassadors for all we have to offer in Nova Scotia.

The theme of this year’s Annual Report – resiliency – reflects a busy year at EduNova as we adjusted our work to support our members and students while the world changed dramatically to fight COVID-19.

With classes moving online, travel severely restricted, and other gatherings shut down, EduNova used technology extensively to deliver our programs on recruitment and retention. In many ways, the use of technology allowed us to reach more students than is normally the case through conventional, in-person activities.

Dr. Peter Ricketts President and Vice-Chancellor Acadia University EduNova Board Chair

Among some of this year’s highlights: 1. EduNova’s virtual recruitment activities in the fall of 2020 involved 15 EduNova members across all our sectors, reaching more than 100 countries and generating more than 20,000 student leads; 2. Familiarization tours in the summer of 2020 and winter of 2021 switched to virtual, more than doubling the number of participating agents; 3. More than 200 students participated in the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ program – with retention post-graduation hitting 89%; 4. More than 450 students participated in our expanded EduNova webinar series; and 5. We set an all-time attendance record for the annual BEST Conference, with more than 550 participants joining virtually in March 2021.

The end of 2020-21 saw President and CEO Nicole Johnson-Morrison accept an exciting new opportunity as Associate Deputy Minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education.

Although we will miss Nicole’s leadership at EduNova, we are excited to have another champion for international education in a senior role in the Nova Scotia government. We look forward to continuing to work with Nicole for the benefit of EduNova members.

We recognize how difficult this past year has been for our members, our students and our partners. As the world moves past and learns from COVID-19, we see international education as an essential tool to reconnect Nova Scotia on a global level.

In that spirit, EduNova’s vision of transforming Nova Scotia through international education and mission of championing Nova Scotia as a leader in student experience are both as relevant as ever.

Katie Orr Interim EduNova President and CEO

Program and Project Highlights EduCanada/FPP EDU MEDIA Virtual Recruitment Fairs Fifteen EduNova members from all sectors of education participated in 11 Study in Canada virtual recruitment fairs in the summer and fall of 2020. These Canada-only targeted recruitment events in locations around the world were the result of a partnership between the Government of Canada’s EduCanada and FPP EDU MEDIA, a global leader in innovative recruitment solutions for international education. While most events took a regional approach and included students from many countries, some of the more popular destinations such as Mexico and Brazil were given stand-alone events that were attended by thousands of prospective students.

EduNova WeChat Account In March 2020, EduNova established an official WeChat account. Described as the Swiss Army Knife of social media apps, WeChat is the number one social media platform in China. With 1.1 billion registered users, WeChat is an indispensable tool to access potential students in China. EduNova has conducted outreach to all members and over the past six months has worked to create 23 articles in Chinese that have been deployed to WeChat. From September 2020 to April 2021, the number of followers on the EduNova WeChat account has increased by 96.63% to 324.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Virtual Agent Tours EduNova engaged Bonard to recruit 24 agents from two separate geographic areas to participate in the 2021 EduNova Virtual Agents tour. Over two days in January 2021, 12 agents from Japan, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia met with 12 EduNova members from the university, language and K-12 sectors for business to business meetings.

In March 2021, 12 agents from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Czech Republic, Spain and France met with representatives from the same 12 EduNova member institutions for two days of business to business meetings scheduled and managed by EduNova. Talks between agents and institutions continue, and we expect that a number of new agreements will be signed in the coming months.

Nova Scotia Curriculum Schools Event EduNova and seven universities offered a Study in Nova Scotia virtual event for students in Nova Scotia curriculum schools in China, Abu Dhabi and Dhaka, Bangladesh, on January 26, 2021. The project used Brazen software as the platform for communications with the students, with any who were unable to participate in January joining in on subsequent presentations organized by EduNova.

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50 54 91 16 Representatives Attended

Signups

Candidates attended

Completed Chats

NSISP Virtual Event EduNova and eight post-secondary members (Université Sainte-Anne, Acadia University, Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, NSCAD University, University of King’s College, Mount Saint Vincent University, St. Francis Xavier University, Cape Breton University and NSCC) used the Brazen platform to connect with students from NSISP, both from their home countries and here in Nova Scotia.

The event attracted 75 student sign-ups, with 50 participating, a consistent number with in-person student familiarization tours held in previous years.

75 Candidates 16 Representatives

Student Journey Mapping Project EduNova contracted National PR to conduct a survey into student decision-making processes, specifically targeting NSISP current high school students and recent graduates. The first survey phase was completed in fall 2020, followed by a second survey in late November 2020. Survey #1 generated 404 responses, an excellent response rate of 42.5%. The second survey was more detailed, with unique insights that reflected a smaller, more focused number of students.

EduNova’s Student Recruitment and Retention (SRR) Committee is now considering the best way to apply the findings of the project.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Atlantic Virtual Recruitment Project In the fall of 2020, EduNova secured funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in support of further virtual recruitment for Atlantic Canada educational institutions through FPP EDU Media. Institutions from across Atlantic Canada were able to register for up to five recruitment fairs held in winter and early spring 2021.

The project was very successful, with 21 institutions representing both English- and French-language students, from all four provinces, participating in a total of 77 events in countries and regions around the world.

Study in Atlantic Canada Brand Marketing Project In December 2020 and January 2021, EduNova and steering committee members received and reviewed five proposals for the Study in Atlantic Canada brand marketing project from firms across Atlantic Canada. M5 was selected as the successful agency partner and contracted to create the Study in Atlantic Canada brand.

The steering committee and EduNova representatives have been meeting with M5 representatives regularly to develop the campaign plan and have moved into the development of creative collateral.

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15 Getting Results

Participating Institutions

Acadia University • Université Sainte-Anne • Cape Breton University • Dalhousie University Mount Saint Vincent University • NSCAD University • Saint Mary’s University • University of King’s College St. Francis Xavier University • NSISP • Sacred Heart School of Halifax • Class Afloat • ICEAP - NS East Coast Language College • Halifax Language Institute of Canada

127,500

$

ACOA Investment

7,861,104

$

*

Predicted Economic Benefits to Nova Scotia 9

EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

* GardinerPinfold Economic Multiplier ($36,304)

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721

20,802

100

Virtual Fairs Completed

Predicted Applications Generated

Student Leads Generated

More than

Countries Reached

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Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ Regional Successes The regional Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ programs have retained more than 80% of their graduates one year post-graduation. Despite the challenges from COVID-19, EduNova’s collaborative ideas have led us to provide not only career supports to students but also a sense of community and belonging to our respective provinces. Sixty-two nationalities are represented across the regional programs, with over 200 students graduating from our fourth cohort. The connections made have been essential to meeting our secondary goal of retaining our program participants in Atlantic Canada.

EDUNOVA PRESENTS

VIRTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY ATLANTIC CANADA STUDY AND STAY™ NOVA SCOTIA PROGRAM June 29, 2021 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Join us at the 2021 Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ - Nova Scotia Cohort Virtual Graduation to celebrate students’ successes and program completion!

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ – Nova Scotia Program The Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ - Nova Scotia program has been adapted due to the pandemic, using different technologies and communication methods to enhance programming. With 60 currently active in the program, we continue to provide students with local connections, resources and professional development opportunities in Nova Scotia. Our retention goal has been met and surpassed since the beginning of the program, with an average of 89% retained in the province one year post-graduation. EduNova appreciates the support that our mentors shared with their students, as they were vital to the success of our graduates.

Study and Stay™ in Nova Scotia Program This year, the students in our Study and Stay™ in Nova Scotia program were merged into the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ - Nova Scotia program following the same curriculum. There are 28 students who remained in the program, and have been receiving pre-employment support in their final year.

Study and Stay™ Programs and Activity Highlights • • • • • • •

Study and Stay™ programs retreat Ten exclusive webinars delivered with partners at EnPoint, TEAMwork and Cultural Coach Exclusive Meet and Mingle Networking Event Immigration question and answer session with Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants Employer Panel One-on-one meetings with Career Strategists Holiday Social

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Additional Initiatives BEST Conference After the 2020 in-person version of the event was cancelled due to COVID-19, the BEST (Building Employment Skills for Successful Transitions) Conference came back with a bang as a virtual event in 2021. Working together with our members and other partners across Nova Scotia, this year’s BEST Conference set a record with 556 registrations, with 333 live attendees recorded at the conference. The conference included 12 workshops, as well as a virtual services expo, which allowed students to connect with services and supports available to them across the province.

Webinar Series EduNova has been expanding retention initiatives since early 2020, where we found a gap of pre-employment supports available for international students in Nova Scotia. Over the past year, EduNova hosted two webinars, with an overall registration of more than 450: 1. Tax return information session (in collaboration with Canada Revenue Agency); and 2. Immigration session about permanent residency (in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Nova Scotia Immigration and Population Growth).

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Students Helping Students – Celebrating Students Who Care The Nova Scotia International Student Program (NSISP) has annually trained more than 120 Nova Scotia students in grades 10, 11 and 12 to assist their international student colleagues in adjusting to life in Nova Scotia, becoming involved in campus and community activities and creating the friendships and connections that will allow them to be successful in their high school careers. The EduNova Ambassador Awards are designed to recognize the great work that these domestic Nova Scotia students have completed during their high school studies. It also encourages them to continue this work at a Nova Scotia university or NSCC to help international students ease their transition into communities across Nova Scotia. In 2021, EduNova awarded these $2000 tuition awards, generously funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, to 28 students from high schools across Nova Scotia. The awards were distributed during an online graduation ceremony featuring commencement speakers the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, and Senator Stan Kutcher on June 11.

Global Recognition Corporate Vision is a monthly digital publication with a worldwide circulation of over 155,000 business leaders and experts. Since 2016, Corporate Vision has recognized high-performing organizations around the world. In December 2020, Corporate Vision announced two awards for EduNova in the small business category: 1. Best International Education Community – Canada 2. Innovation Award for Educational Initiatives – Atlantic Canada EduNova Annual Report 2020- 2021

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Export Internship Program In the fall of 2020 and winter of 2021, EduNova hosted a five-part virtual session that tackled the online business challenges and opportunities of undertaking e-commerce for two cohorts of 35 Nova Scotian companies. The program also connected recent graduates to those Nova Scotian businesses looking to hire and implement the learnings from the program.

In partnership with Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Business Inc., EduNova delivered to these local companies this advanced digital series which introduced five key components: fundamentals of digital marketing, construction of your virtual storefront, targeting your messages to the right audience, measurement of your digital marketing performance, and the possibility of working with digital agencies. The participating companies also had the one-on-one coaching opportunities tailored to their needs after the workshops, as well as access to all associated resource materials.

Leveraging the advantage of technology, the virtual trainings successfully brought the participating companies a full range of digital skills enhancement, which showed EduNova’s strong support for local business to be digitally “up to speed.”

Getting the Word Out – Welcoming Newcomers As COVID-19 raised domestic concerns around safely welcoming students and others from around the world, EduNova was invited to promote the ongoing importance of international education after the pandemic when it became safe to travel again. EduNova designed and deployed several executions across social media platforms for a four-week period. The campaign highlighted the importance of international students to Nova Scotian communities and the economic health of the province.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Immigration Committee Report As the pandemic unfolded around the world last year, immigration and border policies in Canada became fluid in response. International Offices in learning institutions were left scrambling to understand what changes were happening and what the impact would be for international students coming to Canada, and Nova Scotia specifically.

The immigration committee of EduNova already had a strong membership and collaborative spirit, and with updates happening at a brisk pace, the committee agreed to move the meetings to a weekly basis. Information on updates would be discussed, understanding of the implications interrogated, and good practices shared. A tangible outcome of this was EduNova’s support to the institutions in fulfilling a requirement of the International Student Institutional Readiness Plan, being that messaging supporting anti-racism related to COVID-19 be communicated.

EduNova had content developed that each educational institution could use on its social media channels.

Representatives from Labour and Advanced Education and the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration have been invited to participate in the weekly meetings and provide updates. As EduNova sits at a national table, information gathered there has been shared with the committee. As a member of the Immigration Advisory Committee for the Canadian Bureau of International Education, Larissa Strong from StFX was able to share further information from that group. Over the course of the past year, the committee has averaged 15-20 members participating in the weekly meeting; a testament to the value members find in the meetings.

Besides the regular updates on the pandemic, this group also worked collaboratively on specific issues related to immigration and international education, including study permit processing times in and outside of Canada, authorized leave policies, co-op work permits, post-graduation work permits, and health insurance. Given the strength and trust this committee has developed over the past year, there is interest in utilizing these weekly meetings as an opportunity to continue sharing information and good practices beyond just the pandemic and its impacts, but with other areas of practice for international offices and those who have immigration as part of their portfolio.

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Getting the Word Out – Promoting What We Do Whether it’s letting Nova Scotians know through an article from EduNova’s CEO on how international students can safely come to Nova Scotia or preparing a wide range of promotional materials to drive awareness around EduNova’s initiatives, EduNova is always working hard to get the message out about international education. This year, we prepared a wide range of promotional materials in support of a project, event or call to action. These materials were used across a variety of social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram. They were often emailed to individual EduNova members for sharing among students. Some of the materials were targeted to students, while others were geared toward agents and counsellors.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Getting the Word Out – Standing Against Racism EduNova was asked by members to spearhead a campaign focused on broad messages around anti-racism with a unified voice in promoting the inclusion of international students and minorities across the province. Social media was the primary channel, and a campaign tool kit was also distributed to EduNova members to allow them to tailor the materials for their own use on their respective platforms.

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We Celebrate Our Students: Student Success Stories Name: Omkar Raghunath Kshirsagar Country of Origin: India School: Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus Program: Master of Science in Agriculture (Environ. Microbiology) Study and Stay™ Program: Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ -Nova Scotia Cohort 2018-2019 I came to Canada in 2016 to start my Master’s research program at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Agriculture Campus, in Truro. I enjoyed my first snowfall and loved the environment, culture and people around. Thinking about future career plans as stepping towards graduation in 2018. I was lucky enough to be able to get selected into Atlantic Canada Study and Stay ™ - Nova Scotia program.

In this program, I felt more inspired after the first retreat event at Annapolis Basin in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. I learned new things about the history, culture, food, and amazing stories of people who settled in Nova Scotia. Later in the program, meeting with my mentor, workshops for intercultural development and communication, networking events and conferences helped me to gain and develop my roots in this community. After successfully landing a professional job in Windsor, due to things I learned during this program about intercultural differences and work culture in Nova Scotia, I was able to make a good working relationship within my diverse team and helped me connect with everyone.

In 2020, I got the opportunity as a mentor to give back to this great program, helping international students like me. I was able to connect with and support my mentee and provide my valuable experience to become a part of the Nova Scotia community. After looking back into these past years, I am so grateful for this program and would like to recommend it to every international student.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

We Celebrate Our Students: Student Success Stories Name: Wai Lp (Lolita) Lam Country of Origin: Hong Kong School: Cape Breton University Program: Master’s of Business Administration Study and Stay™ Program: Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ -Nova Scotia Cohort 2019-2020 As a recent MBA graduate from Cape Breton University (CBU), I am very grateful to be a member of the EduNova family. Their team has created a home away from home for me, full of love, care and hope. In the last two years, I have been living under the shadow of the pandemic and the unstable political situation of my hometown – Hong Kong, but EduNova was always there for me.

Thanks to the networking exercise and events, one of my connections has referred me to a full-time job, and now I am going through my permanent residency (PR) application. People would say I was a blessed one, but all this only happened with the help of EduNova. I met my mentor during the program. She not only provided me with useful employment information but shared with me her valuable professional and personal experience. With her influence, I am learning French with her now, and we are planning to go for a trip after COVID. Although I have graduated from CBU and EduNova, I feel like I have never left this circle. Because whatever I learned and absorbed from this program has shaped me into a new Nova Scotian, and I am proud to become one. To quote Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Starting from the retreat, networking event, mentoring, job-seeking training, one on one career advice section until graduation, I will never forget what EduNova has done for international students.

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We Celebrate Our Students: Student Success Stories Name: Tanaka Shumb Country of Origin: Zimbabwe School: Dalhousie University Program: Bachelor of Science (Medical Sciences) Study and Stay™ Program: Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ -Nova Scotia Cohort 2019-2020 I decided to come to Nova Scotia from Zimbabwe because of the opportunities available to international students postgraduation, as well as the diverse and vibrant immigrant community in our province.

The Study and Stay™ program helped me map out a vision for my career in Nova Scotia. We were provided with many resources and professional development workshops to help in developing career goals and creating a plan for executing those goals. I enjoyed the mentorship aspect the most because I had a great relationship with my mentor, and she helped me network and realize my strengths. I also appreciated having access to a Career Strategist because she was very instrumental in my career journey in providing interview advice, reviewing cover letters and resumes.

I am now working as a Residence Life Manager at Dalhousie University, where I provide supports for students in residence.

I have many hobbies, including spending time outdoors. I love living in Nova Scotia, as you can experience both city life and be surrounded by nature at the same time.

I plan to give back to the Study and Stay™ community by becoming a mentor for the program next year, as I want to keep contributing to the experiences that international students have in Nova Scotia.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

We Celebrate Our Students: Student Success Stories Name: Yingjun Chen Country of Origin: China School: Saint Mary’s University Program: Bachelor of Arts, Major in French, Minor in International Development Studies Study and Stay™ Program: Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ -Nova Scotia Cohort 2020-2021 I graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in French (Honours) in May 2021. Over the past four years, I was a student with a great passion for languages but also became an outstanding leader by actively engaging in numerous activities. On campus, I started from welcoming new students and presenting in student conferences, and later took on bigger roles such as Logistics Director of TEDxSaintMarysU and Founder/President of SMU French Society. Meanwhile, I continued volunteering in the community by helping many non-profit organizations, such as ISANS and IFNÉ.

To further improve my professional skills, I joined the 2021 cohort of the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay ™ - Nova Scotia Program, which is the best decision I have ever made. The program has provided me meaningful workshops and mentorship, greatly enhancing my confidence and skills. From being a diligent student, I transformed into a young and competent professional. This is due to the guidance and support from the Career Strategist, my mentor, and all the staff from the program.

All these experiences and the excellent supporters that I met have led me to a precious opportunity to work as a Marketing and Administration Support Coordinator at EduNova right after graduation. I believe that “an opportunity is always for those who are prepared for it.” No matter where I go in the future, I will keep learning and be ready for every new challenge.

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EduNova StudenOur Members: Atlantic Canada Language Academy We Celebrate Because food is a universal language, Atlantic Canada Language Academy found an innovative way to stay connected with students, staff and agents; build relationships; focus on mental and physical health: and promote our incredible region. Every Sunday morning for the better part of the year, Atlantic Canada Language Academy’s President Michelle Alcorn hosted Atlantic Canada Cooks, a free online global weekly cooking club. Offered on Facebook, Atlantic Canada Cooks brought together students, teachers and agents to learn about food in Atlantic Canada.

Known as the Maple Chef, Michelle invited everyone to virtually join her in her kitchen in New Brunswick’s Albert County. Six recipes from across Atlantic Canada were offered up, with farmers and other producers often participating as guests. With so many Atlantic Canada Language Academy students studying online from their home country, Atlantic Canada Cooks gave them a great way to stay connected and learn about Atlantic Canada’s culture and experience.

With participants connecting from as far afield as Vietnam, Ireland and Nova Scotia, learning English never tasted so good! Atlantic Canada Cooks participants prepared meals from wherever they were in the world and were still able to taste what being in Atlantic Canada is all about, reinforcing why they wanted to still come here to study, work and live.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

EduNova Studen We Celebrate

Our Members: East Coast Language College

East Coast Language College (ECLC) went above and beyond to welcome intrepid students who still made it safely to Halifax. Thanks to Languages Canada‘s Study Safe Corridor, ECLC students were able to book their travel and hotels, as well as get all their pre-departure documentation and apps before they left home. On arrival in Halifax, they were met by a safe taxi that transported them to their quarantine hotel. The student travel package included a Canadian SIM card so students could immediately connect with their families, the school, and the federal and provincial authorities; medical insurance (including coverage for COVID); access to mental health supports; and room and meals for the duration of the quarantine stay.

ECLC also prepared welcome bags for all the new arrivals, with students receiving them when they checked into the hotel. Director of Student Services Donna-Lynn LeBlanc noted the welcome bags were meant to be fun, educational and tasty, with some treats and snacks to enjoy. Students reported back that the contents of the welcome bags helped the 14-day quarantine pass a little more quickly and that they were touched by the care and thought that had gone into the preparation of the bags.

Some of the host families also stepped up with their own welcome packs.

COVID-19 couldn’t stop ECLC from welcoming international students and all they bring to enriching our community.

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Draft - EduNova Statement of Financial Position As of March 31 2021 2020 Assets Current Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,530,266.00 $1,535,399.00 Accounts Receivable $328,877.00 $697,718.00 Prepaids $6,605.00 $9,484.00

$1,865,748.00 $2,242,601.00 Captial Assets $2,981.00 $5,067.00

$1,868,729.00 $2,247,668.00 Liabilities Current Payables and Accruals $198,029.00 $344,094.00 Deferred Revenues $724,353.00 $1,100,517.00

$922,382.00 $1,444,611.00 Net Assets Unrestriced net assets $946,347.00 $803,057.00

$1,868,729.00 $2,247,668.00

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

EduNova Board of Directors 2020-2021

Dr. Peter Ricketts President & Vice Chancellor Acadia University Chair

Mr. William Lahey President & Vice Chancellor, University of King’s College

Mr. Saeed El-Darahali President & CEO SimplyCast Treasurer Mr. Paul Millman Executive Director, Nova Scotia International Student Program Vice-Chair

Mr. Don Bureaux President, Nova Scotia Community College

Ms. Sheila Nunn President & CEO, East Coast Language College Ms. Eleanor L. Anderson Community Board Member

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EduNova Operations Committee 2020-2021

Mr. Brett MacLean Senior International Recruiter, Cape Breton University Chair, Recruitment Committee

Ms. Cynthia Murphy Director, International Centre, Dalhousie University Chair Ms. Paula Barry Mercer Associate Vice-President, Student Experience, Mount Saint Vincent University Vice-Chair

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Mr. Tom Brophy Senior Director, Student Services, Saint Mary’s University Ms. Larissa Strong Director of Internationalization, St. Francis Xavier University Chair, Immigration Committee

Ms. Katie Orr Director, International, Nova Scotia Community College

Meet Our EduNova Team

Yentl Lee Projects Coordinator

Natasha McNeil Director of Finance & Operations

Katie Orr Interim President & CEO Michael Hennigar Director of International Student Recruitment & Marketing

Aris Hernandez Retention Coordinator

Yingjun Chen Marketing & Administrative Support

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We Thank Our 2020-2021 Members for Their Continued Support

Acadia University ranks among Canada’s best, recognized for teaching and academic excellence through a personalized educational experience.

With campuses in the heart of Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Atlantic School of Theology helps develop post-graduate students for ministry, as well as for meeting the theological and ethical challenges of today’s world.

Mount Saint Vincent University is a leader in online and experiential learning, based on a strong tradition of social responsibility.

Cape Breton University is an Atlantic Canadian post-secondary leader, with an international focus.

Part of Nova Scotia’s cultural landscape since 1887, NSCAD University is Canada’s premier university dedicated to advancing the visual arts.

EduNova Members 2020-2021

Nova Scotia Community College is committed to building our economy and quality of life through education and innovation.

University of King’s College: Exceptional beginnings. Exceptional futures.

Université Sainte-Anne Une université axée sur la réussite et l’engagement des étudiantes et des étudiants.

Saint Mary’s University is known for a strong sense of community, engaged faculty and students, entrepreneurial spirit and innovative research that reaches beyond campus walls and into the wider community.

One of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious universities, St. Francis Xavier exceeds the needs of its students through outstanding teaching, exceptional hands-on research experience, the very best in residential living and unique opportunities to make a contribution to communities at home and abroad.

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EduNova Members 2020-2021

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Canadian Language Learning College (CLLC)’s genuine and caring team guarantees you will experience the best Canadian education in a friendly personalized setting.

East Coast Language College (ECLC) is a warm, welcoming ESL school where motivated students achieve academic excellence and personal success.

Halifax Language Institute of Canada provides authentic and experiential language learning opportunities that will improve students’ proficiency, confidence, fluency and accuracy, so that they may better reach their goals in a personal, academic and/or professional capacity. Community outreach, diversity, inclusivity and social justice are at the core of our values and practiced within our curriculum.

The International Centre for EAP (ICEAP) is a language centre located in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and on the Cape Breton University (CBU) campus in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The centre offers English for Academic Preparation to international students who wish to enter university, but lack the required English proficiency.

EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

EduNova Members 2020-2021

Atlantic Canada Language Academy offers its students the opportunity to learn a new language on the ocean in safe, historic Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

King’s-Edgehill School – Attracting students from around the globe, Canada’s oldest private school challenges scholars to learn, lead and change the world.

Nova Scotia International Student Program Landmark East School has been making a difference in the lives of students with language and learning differences since 1979.

With a global network of schools around the world, a rich and proud history, and a strong and unique set of core values, Sacred Heart School of Halifax offers not just an education but an experience that is unparalleled in this region.

The Nova Scotia International Student Program (NSISP) offers a superior educational experience province-wide in both English and French language schools to students 8-18 years old.

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We Thank Our 2020-2021 Partners for Their Continued Support Government of Canada

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Province of Nova Scotia

Thank You Nicole Johnson-Morrison As 2020-2021 came to a close, EduNova was sad to see our CEO Nicole Johnson-Morrison leave the organization. Nicole joined EduNova at the beginning of 2020, bringing extensive international experience from leadership roles as a senior trade commissioner with Global Affairs Canada and manager of market trade intelligence with Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI).

Under Nicole’s leadership, EduNova was able to adapt for its members through the COVID-19 global pandemic while acting as a strong voice for Nova Scotia to continue welcoming international students.

On February 23, 2021, Premier Iain Rankin announced Nicole Johnson-Morrison’s appointment as associate deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education, taking effect at the end of March 2021. In this senior government executive position, we are confident that Nicole will continue to be a strong, effective voice for international education at the highest levels of public service.

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Thank you Chris Strickey EduNova thanks Chris Strickey, Director of Admissions and Development at King’s-Edgehill School, for his seven years of service as Recruitment Committee Chair and Recruitment Committee designate on the Operations Committee. Chris has been a tireless advocate of Nova Scotia international education and a champion for the K-12 sector, bringing ideas and experience as Chair, and helping give direction to the committee. We look forward to continuing to work with Chris on all things recruitment and thank him for his excellent service to the EduNova membership.

Thank you Paula Barry Mercer We thank Paula Barry Mercer for many years of service and leadership to EduNova. A longtime member of EduNova’s Operations Committee, and previously EduNova’s Board of Directors, Paula was one of the architects of our highly successful, award-winning Study and Stay ™ program. As Paula is completing her term as Associate Vice President, Student Experience, at Mount Saint Vincent University in June 2021, she will be pursuing new opportunities and taking a well-deserved break from volunteer leadership at EduNova. We wish her all the best and know that she will continue to be a strong advocate and supporter of international education.

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EduNova Annual Report 2020 - 2021

Thank you Paul Millman One of the builders of international education in Nova Scotia over the last 30 years is making a change. EduNova Board Vice-Chair Paul Millman is retiring as Executive Director of the Nova Scotia International Student Program (NSISP) at the end of June 2021. One of the founders of NSISP, Paul led the organization for 24 years, building an organization that has been one of Canada’s most successful international student programs at the K-12 level.

Under Paul’s leadership: 1. More than 18,000 international students attended public schools in Nova Scotia, generating $224 million in revenue for the Government of Nova Scotia; 2. Public schools became more internationalized by creating opportunities for Nova Scotia students to engage with international students in the province and around the world; and 3. More than 80 jobs were created in rural Nova Scotia before Covid-19 hit.

Through his longtime service on the EduNova board, Paul worked tirelessly to build bridges between different parts of the international education sector. He believed in promoting Nova Scotia to the world and always finding ways to collaborate. As Paul pursues new ventures beyond NSISP and EduNova, we say thank you for his many contributions and wish him all the best.

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CLOSE TO

15,000

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN NOVA SCOTIA CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN

$400,000,000 TO OUR ECONOMY.

EduNova’s international student retention programs have supported over 200 students to make Nova Scotia their home post-graduation.

An innovative hub for collaborative recruitment and retention efforts, Nova Scotia is stronger when we work together.

Atlantic Canada Study and StayTM - Nova Scotia Program

Cohort 2020-2021

Halifax • Nova Scotia • Canada | studynovascotia.ca | +1.902.424.8187