A joint pilot project called the Student Partners Program was launched in April 2009 between Canada's visa offices in India and 20 member colleges of the ACCC. The goal was to increase the approval rate for study permit applications at participating Canadian colleges.

"The Student Partners Program has resulted in an increase in the number of Indian students on our college campuses," said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

During the first nine months of the launch of the program, CIC's visa offices in India received over 4,000 applications in the program. The approval rate for the first group of students under the program coming to study this past September was more than double the approval rate for the same colleges the preceding year. Furthermore, 95 per cent of the students remain in good standing at an ACCC college.

Processing times within the program are said to be faster than the global norm, with an average of about two and a half weeks.

The program has several checks and balances, from requiring applicants to provide verifiable documentation, to a feedback mechanism where colleges report back on whether students show up. The safety, security and health of Canadians are of the utmost importance. All students who come to Canada through the Student Partnership Program must adhere to the same screening requirements as any visitor or student.

"This type of program benefits both our country and those who participate in it," said Kenney. "When all is said and done, these graduates may remain in Canada and apply to immigrate under the Canada Experience Class. They would make Canada their home and continue to contribute to our country's social and economic fabric."

He indicated the government would continue to look at ways to encourage international students to study in Canada.