Canada has increased the permissible work hours for eligible international students during academic terms from 20 to 24 hours per week.

This adjustment aims to provide greater opportunities for students to gain work experience while maintaining their focus on academics.

Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister, stressed the intent behind this policy change, saying, “This change will give students more flexibility to manage their time and gain practical experience.”

The decision builds on remarks Miller made in October 2022 when he emphasized the importance of work experience for international students.

At the time, he stated: “With the economy growing at a faster rate than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and workforce needed to fuel our growth.

“Immigration will be crucial to addressing our labour shortage. By allowing international students to work more while they study, we can help ease pressing needs in many sectors across the country, while providing more opportunities for international students to gain valuable Canadian work experience and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.”

Key Changes to the International Student Program
Full-Time Work During Academic Breaks

International students can now work full-time during designated academic breaks, such as summer and winter holidays. These periods allow students to increase their earnings without interfering with class schedules, bolstering their financial stability while continuing their education.

The updated regulations permit students to work up to 24 hours per week during academic terms. This increase offers greater employment opportunities while ensuring students can maintain a sustainable study schedule.

Enhanced Reporting by Institutions

Designated Educational Institutions (DLIs) are now required to submit reports twice yearly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These reports will confirm students’ enrollment status and academic progress, ensuring compliance with study permit requirements and upholding the integrity of the International Student Program.

Approval for Institution Transfers

Under the new rules, international students must obtain approval before transferring to a different DLI. This requirement ensures adherence to permit conditions and maintains academic standards across Canada’s institutions.

Special Provisions for Quebec Students

In Quebec, eligible international students can work off-campus without a separate work permit, provided they meet specific criteria. Students must be enrolled full-time in post-secondary, vocational, or professional training programs, or vocational training at the secondary level. These courses must be at least six months long and lead to a recognized degree, diploma, or certificate.

By introducing these measures, Canada aims to enhance opportunities for international students while addressing labour shortages in key sectors, ensuring a balance between work experience and academic success.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it has commenced the accreditation of computer-based test (CBT) centres for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement on Sunday, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB spokesperson, said CBT centres that participated in the 2024 UTME without any issue should proceed to register their interest through the board’s centre management system (CMS) portal.

The JAMB’s spokesperson said all new centres willing to participate in the 2025 UTME exercise should visit https://www.jamb.gov.ng/Pdfs/CBT_centre_requirements.pdf to view the requirements for establishing a JAMB-approved CBT centre.

“Following this, these centres should notify the board in writing of their intention to participate in the accreditation exercise,” the statement reads.

“This notification should be addressed to the registrar of JAMB through the zonal director or state coordinator in their respective states.

“The zonal and state offices will create accounts for new centres on the CMS portal to facilitate their registration.

“All centres must conduct an autobot/autotest on a date that will be communicated to them, as part of their preparation for the physical accreditation visit by the board’s team.

“It is essential to note that the autobot/autotest is mandatory; only centres that successfully complete this test and meet the necessary criteria will be eligible for a physical visit.”

Benjamin said only centres that qualify will receive information regarding the date for the physical accreditation exercise, scheduled for next month.

”Centres that do not achieve satisfactory results on the autobot/autotest will not be revisited,” he said.

“Centres that meet all stipulated requirements will be approved and included by the board for the 2025 UTME registration and examination.”

The governing council of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) in Kogi state has approved the dismissal of four lecturers over alleged sexual harassment and examination malpractice.

Chaired by Victor Ndoma-Egba, the council arrived at the decision during its second meeting.

The council appreciated the university management for following due process in the investigation and promised not to tolerate unethical conduct in the university.

Ndoma-Egba cautioned members of staff and lecturers against all forms of molestation, and urged students to always speak out when molested.

The council also implored the university to quickly process other pending cases of misconduct, especially the trending one in the faculty of science.

In 2020, the governing council of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Adamawa state, sacked two senior lecturers over allegations of victimisation and sexual harassment.

The lecturers, Yakubu Bobboi and Toma Fulani Mbahi, were accused of harassing one C. A. Bathon, a master’s degree student in their department.

The university also terminated the appointment of Bakari Girei of the registry department for alleged misappropriation of N1.1 million.