How to Spot a Bogus Education Consultant
If you have been watching Canadian news, you will have read that many Indian international students will be deported because of fake college documents. It isn’t the students’ fault, but the fault lies with fraudulent education consultants who have bilked international students out of their wealth with false promises, information, and false documents.
Never in the history of Canadian education has there been such large-scale fraudulent activities that have ruined the lives of students and damaged Canada’s reputation in the international student recruitment market. In the face of this, Ontario Colleges have implemented strident measures.
Ontario Colleges Take Action
According to the Toronto Star, the number of international students who are studying in Canada rose by 43% over the previous 5 years. Over half of them study in Ontario and of that half, 30% make up students at Ontario Colleges. So, a lot is at stake here and Ontario’s colleges have taken action.
Effective March 2023, new policies have been put in place to protect international students who come to Canada to study. Linda Franklin, the President and CEO of Ontario Colleges has stated that the motivating factor is the care of our international students. Nothing is more important, and the new measures reflect the strong message they are sending to education consultants whose practices are non-ethical and criminal.
“The motivating factor is the care of our international students.”
What Measures Are Now in Effect?
In an effort to hold their own agents accountable and to weed out fake ones, these are some of the rules set in place:
Tighter monitoring of the marketing information given to international students. Contractual agents need to be accountable to provide accurate information – no embellishment allowed.
Increased agent training. This may mean monthly training sessions such as what the University of Windsor already has in place. And if not monthly, then the amount of training will certainly increase to ensure agents are well informed as to a college’s requirements and practices.
In Canada, orientation sessions will be conducted upon arrival so international students know how to navigate their way around and what pitfalls to watch out for.
After graduation support to assist students with employment and settlement will be put in place.
How to Avoid the Fake and Find the Genuine Education Consultant?
Not all consultants are bad. Some are trustworthy and will genuinely help students. But how can you tell which one is genuine?
From the article, you have learned that some consultants have a contract in place with an institution. To find out if they are in-country representatives of a college or university, you can ask for:
Documentation of authorisation, or if they can’t produce that, their name or company name should be listed as a representative on the school’s website. Most institutions, like the University of Alberta, have warnings on their websites not to use unauthorized consultants and to contact them for a list of their in-country representatives.
They will have had training and you as a prospective client can ask them about the training they have received.
If what they tell you is too good to believe, it maybe shouldn’t be believed. Yes, Canada is a great place to study in, to live in and find employment, etc. But it is hard and you will not find a job the minute you arrive. I tell my students that it could take them 4 to 6 months before you can land your first part-time position. And I show them the math, how much they might earn and how much are the expenses. They will not meet. So, it isn’t 100% sweet. There will be tough times too.
Check out their reviews. What do previous international students say about them?
Is the consultant asking you for money? This could be a warning sign that you are dealing with a consultant and not with a representative of the university or college.
Ontario Colleges have spearheaded a tightening of the rules so fewer students are not defrauded by unscrupulous education consultants. They have led the way and the rest of Canada’s colleges will soon implement tougher measures as well. None of these measures will negatively impact admissions – that remains the same. But it will reduce the number of fraudulent agents who have jeopardised the future of serious and hardworking students.
And please make sure to check out the education consultant before using their services. It means you can be assured that you are dealing with a reputable and trustworthy advisor who has been properly trained to assist you.