The University of New Brunswick will launch its Masters of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship this autumn, which will feature an immigration component unique in Canada.

Dhirendra Shukla, the chair of the Fredericton university’s Technology Management and Entrepreneurship, or TME, program, said the university is looking for seven to 10 students who already have startups and or have business ideas they want to develop.

Though the Entrepreneurship Program is open to anyone, international students gain an additional benefit. Working with the federal and provincial governments, the program allows international students who seek permanent residency to fast-track their application the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program. The Nominee Program will speed up the immigration process for people who have been nominated by a Canadian citizen because they will stay in New Brunswick and contribute to its economy.

“I think it raised a lot of eyebrows as to how we got this done and we got it done very quickly,” Shukla said in an interview. “Our [TME] program has been around for over 27 years, so it’s just that … they saw that we have a history of doing good things.”

In the past three years, more than 32 startups have come out of the TME program. Shukla said that UNB constantly looks to make bold moves and do something different. The masters program is just another way that the university is doing what it’s always done, he said.

As well as attracting international students, Shukla said, the university hopes 50 percent of the cohort will be women entrepreneurs.

“We’re trying to create deeper meaning in society and community,” he said. “This program is going to be a huge game-changer for our region overall—and Canada, maybe.”

Shukla knows what it’s like to be an international student, as well as a Canadian immigrant. He completed high school, his undergraduate, graduate and PhD degrees in the United Kingdom, and then immigrated to Canada. He said students often come to him for advice on immigrating and living in Canada.

“You should seriously be looking at an institution like the University of New Brunswick that gets it, that understands international students, that understands entrepreneurship,” Shukla said.

Last year, Startup Canada awarded UNB the national award for the best university to engage in startup creation and entrepreneurship. Industry Canada has dubbed the university as a leader in entrepreneurship education.

Applicants to the Masters of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship must have an undergraduate degree in engineering, computer science or science, $10,000 to invest in the startup, and an active management role in the company. They must also commit to not selling the company for at least three years after completing the program.

Applications are currently being accepted. The program will begin in September.