Friday, September 12, 2014 (Halifax, NS) – Mayor Mike Savage is hosting a reception tomorrow (Saturday) to welcome first-year international students to Halifax and to thank them for choosing our fine city as their home while pursuing their studies.

Media are welcome to attend.

Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

In addition to receiving greetings from Mayor Savage, students will be provided with networking opportunities, refreshments, as well as information on various services and programs offered by the municipality and organizations throughout Halifax.

The welcoming reception recognizes the contribution international students make to the cultural diversity, vibrancy, and prosperity of Halifax.

Halifax boasts seven universities and three community college campuses. These institutions attract people from across Canada and increasingly, from around the world. The number of international students attending Halifax-area post-secondary institutions has more than doubled over the past 10 years, and they now form 16 per cent of the municipality’s post-secondary population.

In January 2014, Halifax Regional Council approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Halifax’s universities and the community college with an initial focus on attracting and retaining talented people – students, faculty and staff – to Halifax.