A New Era? A Case Study of the University of Manitoba’s Response to Federal International Student Policy
Abstract
Canada’s federal and institutional policies have long been aligned to attract and retain international students and skilled immigrants. This policy landscape shifted dramatically in January 2024, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a national cap on study permits. This article examines the impact of these new federal policy measures on research-intensive universities. Specifically, it asks: (1) How did universities interpret and respond to these policy changes? and (2) How did they adapt organizationally? Drawing on institutional theory and a case of the University of Manitoba, we introduce the concept of crisis isomorphism to explain how universities may navigate abrupt policy disruptions. The study contributes to understanding the shifting terrain of internationalization in Canada amid heightened federal intervention.
Published
2026-05-25
Keywords
international students, federal policy, internationalization of higher education, policy analysis, institutional theory, University of Manitoba, Canada
Issue
Section
Special issue: From recruitment to restrictions: A new policy era for international students in Canadian higher education
DOI
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Merli Tamtik, Roopa Desai Trilokekar, Helen Liu
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