For fifty years, the doors of higher education institutions in Quebec have been wide open to students from all over the world. However, it is the favorite destination for African Students because its establishments offer access to high-level training.
Several young Africans are in pursuit of professional, technological or university studies of which the purpose is obtaining a diploma and then return homes to participate in the economic development of their countries of origin, or to seek residency in Quebec and then enter a booming labor market. For the year 2019-2020, 16,000 requests files from 45 African countries were sent to all the establishment of partners of the regional center of higher education: Capitale-Nationale.
This grouping of the main players in training is part of the government strategy aimed at combating the lack of labor observed in several economic sectors estimated at 150,000 jobs. For this, Laval University, considered the largest French-speaking higher education institution in America, has recorded a 60% increase in its contingents of African students since 2016. Several other large institutions in Quebec are privileged voice of access to Africans. Among the 48 colleges present in Quebec, the Gegep network is considered the gateway for newcomers to the territory because they can build their studies by opting for a diploma of college studies (DEC) allowing them to follow a course at university level, or for an attestation of collegial studies (AEC).
Cegep Limoilou also presents training programs, developed with the help of business leaders from the region, and specifically designed for Africans. The Cegeps now have about fifty cooperation agreements in West Africa as well as in Cameron and Mozambique. Other large institutions constituting privileged access routes such as the National School of Public Administrations and the National Institute for Scientific Research welcome each year between 20% and 25% Africans representing different African countries. In addition,the ENAP school offers doctorates and masters recognized in many French-speaking countries of the African continent.
A network has been created relating Quebec to the African youth from which Quebec gains work force when African students in return gain either a diploma, or a residence in Quebec, and both are a good reinforcement for a better future for these young students.
Original Article at : Jeune Afrique.
