Crossroads for Canadian CS enrollment

Abstract

What should be done to reverse falling CS enrollment in the Canadian education system?

Efforts to Reverse the Trend of Enrollment Decline in Computer Science Programs

“…Figure 2 shows a drop in the number of graduating CS students from a high of above 70 in the peak period to about 40 in year 2006/2007. Although recent numbers indicate a slight trend upward in the last year, it is too early to judge whether this upward trend is going to be sustained or not (Markoff, 2009;Slonim et al, 2008). …”

“…Recent years have shown some progress regarding increasing enrollment in these technology programs, but a determination is yet to be made whether this slight upward trend represents a turn-around in enrollment or not (Markoff, 2009;Slonim, Scully & Mcallister, 2008). Among these programs that witnessed some recent increase in their enrollment is the computer science program (COSC) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).…”

Factors Affecting Career Choice: Comparison Between Students from Computer and Other Disciplines

“…The number of students enrolling for computer-related 1 courses at universities has decreased substantially worldwide since the late 1990"s (Akbulut & Looney, 2007Benokraitis, Shelton, Bizot, Brown, & Martens, 2009;Granger, Dick, Jacobson, & Van Slyke, 2007;Huang, Greene, & Day, 2008;Looney & Akbulut, 2007;McGettrick, 2009;Sheard et al, 2008;Slonim, Scully, & McAllister, 2008;Walstrom, Schambach, Jones, & Crampton, 2008;Zhang, 2007) and a similar trend has been noted in South Africa (SA DoC, 2008). Student enrollments do, however, appear to have started stabilizing in the United States and Canada since about 2007 (Benokraitis et al, 2009;Slonim et al, 2008;Zweben, 2009) departments, and even in a few cases, the closure of such departments (Frolick, Chen, & Janz, 2005;Huang et al, 2008).…”

“…Student enrollments do, however, appear to have started stabilizing in the United States and Canada since about 2007 (Benokraitis et al, 2009;Slonim et al, 2008;Zweben, 2009) departments, and even in a few cases, the closure of such departments (Frolick, Chen, & Janz, 2005;Huang et al, 2008). This is in sharp contrast with the earlier situation where such departments were flourishing and were often considered to be the "cash cow" of the schools or faculties in which they were located.…”

“…(Wickham & Bruff, 2008, p. 35) Although there is general agreement that large shortages exist (Kim, Hsu, & Stern, 2006;Rettenmayer, Berry, & Ellis, 2007;Scime, 2008;Seymour et al, 2005;Walstrom et al, 2008;Wickham & Bruff, 2008;Zhang, 2007), the impact of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills shortage on the economies of countries is less easy to quantify (Trauth, Quesenberry, & Huang, 2008). This requires serious attention at national level since the ICT industry is believed to be a very significant contributor, both directly and indirectly, to national economies (D"Costa & Kelly, 2008;Slonim et al, 2008;Trauth et al, 2008;Warhurst, Lockyer, & Dutton, 2006 ;Zhang, 2007). The direct component is made up of revenues generated by the development of hardware and software as well as services related to advising and assisting clients in the implementation and use of computer systems.…”