Hundreds of Indian Students Protest in Canada After PGWP Rejections, Hunger Strike Intensifies

Hundreds of Indian Students Protest in Canada After PGWP Rejections, Hunger Strike Intensifies
Calgary, Canada:Hundreds of international students, many from Punjab, India, have launched protests in Calgary after Canadian immigration authorities rejected their applications for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). The demonstrations have intensified in recent days, with several students beginning a hunger strike to demand a review of their cases.

The affected students studied through programs offered by Portage College in partnership with another institution. They say they enrolled believing the courses would make them eligible for a PGWP, which allows international graduates to gain Canadian work experience after completing their studies. Many claim they spent more than CAD 30,000 on tuition, in addition to living expenses, before learning their applications had been refused.
Canada’s immigration department maintains that there has been no policy change, stating that the programs in question have long been ineligible for PGWPs because they are classified as non-credit programs. Officials say recent guidance merely clarified existing rules rather than introducing new ones.
Student groups argue that they enrolled in good faith and are seeking a one-time exemption or a review of their rejected applications. According to estimates from the protesting students, as many as 1,500 graduates could be affected.
The issue has also drawn political attention. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said that international students whose visas have expired and who do not hold valid work permits or permanent residency are expected to leave Canada, while protesters continue to urge the federal government to reconsider their cases.

As of now, no blanket relief has been announced by Canadian authorities, and the demonstrations continue as students await a response from the government.

courtasy : Times of india

PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) क्या है?

PGWP (पोस्ट-ग्रेजुएशन वर्क परमिट) कनाडा सरकार द्वारा दिया जाने वाला एक ओपन वर्क परमिट है। यह पात्र (eligible) संस्थानों से पढ़ाई पूरी करने वाले अंतरराष्ट्रीय छात्रों को कनाडा में पढ़ाई के बाद कुछ समय तक काम करने की अनुमति देता है।

क्या कैलगरी में यूनिवर्सिटी ने धोखा किया?

अभी तक ऐसा साबित नहीं हुआ है कि किसी यूनिवर्सिटी या कॉलेज ने धोखाधड़ी की है।

मामला यह है कि:

• प्रभावित छात्र मुख्य रूप से Portage College के ऐसे कार्यक्रमों में पढ़े थे जो Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy (CIOT) के साथ साझेदारी में चलाए गए थे।
• छात्रों का कहना है कि उन्हें विश्वास था कि उनका कोर्स PGWP के लिए योग्य (eligible) है।
• लेकिन कनाडा के इमिग्रेशन विभाग (IRCC) ने कई आवेदनों को यह कहते हुए अस्वीकार कर दिया कि ये non-credit programs थे और इसलिए PGWP के लिए पात्र नहीं थे।
• छात्रों का आरोप है कि उन्हें सही जानकारी नहीं दी गई, जबकि कॉलेजों का कहना है कि उन्होंने नियमों के अनुसार ही जानकारी दी थी।
• कनाडा सरकार का कहना है कि यह मौजूदा नियमों का ही पालन है, कोई नया नियम नहीं बनाया गया।

• सही बात यह होगी कि PGWP पात्रता को लेकर छात्रों और कनाडा सरकार के बीच विवाद चल रहा है, और छात्र अपने मामलों की दोबारा समीक्षा की मांग कर रहे हैं।
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