Vancouver Colleges Under Pressure: Navigating the International Student Crisis

In this in-depth interview, Soheil Gorji — founder and director of ITD College in Vancouver — sheds light on the growing crisis facing private post-secondary institutions across Canada in 2025. With sweeping changes to immigration policies and declining international student numbers, many private colleges are struggling to stay afloat.

Majid Mahichi – Local Journalism Initiative

Gorji, a veteran of Canada’s education sector with nearly three decades of experience, voices concern over the government’s deep mistrust of private colleges, which he believes has only worsened due to irresponsible practices by some in the industry. These institutions, he notes, have prioritized profits over standards, admitting underqualified international students and damaging the sector’s reputation.

In contrast, Gorji emphasizes ITD College’s long-standing commitment to strict admission criteria, academic integrity, and workforce integration. With 70–75% of his students coming from abroad, he underscores how vital international students have been—not just to his college, but to the broader economy and job market. Yet despite delivering high employment outcomes, private institutions like his continue to face regulatory neglect and public skepticism.

He calls for a more balanced and fair approach from both federal and provincial governments—one that recognizes the legitimate role private colleges play in training skilled workers, especially in tech and trades, and their contribution to Canada’s immigration and labor goals.

This conversation offers a candid look at the civic consequences of treating international education as a transactional business rather than a pillar of national development.