As an estimated 8,300 Saudi students studying in Canada face a forced deadline to return home, Quest University said it isn’t able to publicly confirm whether any local students will be affected.
“We will not confirm or deny the presence of any Saudi Arabian students at Quest,” said spokesperson Jasmine Aimaq. “We do not disclose details of this sort in the context of sensitive diplomatic situations.”
A feud between Ottawa and Riyadh began Aug. 3, after Canada’s Global Affairs department tweeted concern over the arrest of human rights activists in Saudi Arabia and called for their release.
The country responded by recalling their ambassador and ending trade deals. Students going to school in Canada have been ordered by their government to end their studies and return home before Aug. 31.
In B.C., the royal order is expected to impact 1,645 students, according to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's website.
The University of British Columbia has said 280 of their students will be affected. On Vancouver Island, 85 students will be impacted at the University of Victoria, and 80 at Vancouver Island University.
While other universities have confirmed their numbers, Aimaq said as a smaller school, Quest wants to protect the anonymity of any students who may be facing the deadline to leave
“Our students' privacy and well-being are of utmost importance to us, and the diplomatic situation is highly charged right now,” she said.
Students at Quest come from over 61 countries, according to their website, and 17 per cent of students are from outside North America.
Scholarship opportunities for international students are open to Saudi Arabian applicants.
