2023-12-21 13:07:22
The immigration law, adopted this Tuesday by the French Parliament, provokes contrasting reactions on the African continent. If it worries students in Morocco, this text which toughens immigration conditions seems to be received with a certain indifference at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan.
Published on: 12/21/2023 – 2:07 p.m.
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With our correspondents in Rabat, Nadia Ben Mahfoudh, et in Abidjan, Bineta Diagne
Some Moroccans wonder what the tightening of immigration and residence conditions on French territory, voted on Tuesday evening by parliamentarians, could change for them, but also, and above all, for the students. Nearly 50,000 Moroccans have chosen to continue their university studies in France, the largest foreign student community in France. In the country, France is less and less a dream. “ Lately, students are turning away from French and European universities and preferring to go to China. Much more than before », explains Othmane Ghalmi, computer graphics student.
With the adoption of the immigration law, when settling in France, foreign students will have to pay a deposit. back » and will be subject to quotas. Enough to harm the attractiveness of French universities, according to a member of the national office of the National Federation of Education in Morocco: “ This law will certainly hamper the dreams and possibilities of families to be able to send their children, students in general, to continue their studies in France. »
Read alsoImmigration law: at the Cité universitaire internationale in Paris, the uneasiness of foreign students
Alaeddine Daoudi is the parent of two children educated in French schools in Morocco. He, whose objective was to allow them to continue their studies in France, begins to doubt: “ We hear that welcoming non-French people, Moroccans, Africans or others is something that is not necessarily welcome, but for our children who plan to continue their studies and perhaps settle in France, I fear that it will not be possible, or very difficult. » If French universities risk losing their attractiveness in the coming years, Morocco, for its part, wishes to develop its universities to keep its students and attract those of sub-Saharan origin.
« The principle of restrictions worries us »
In Ivory Coast, the reactions are undoubtedly worried, but far from the discussions which agitate the French political class. This bill adopted by France arouses little debate at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University.
Two years ago, Niama dreamed of studying law or taxation in France, but her project came up against an administrative reality: putting together a file is not easy. “ There is so much paperwork to gather, not to mention the issue of bail. There you have it, you have to have a pledge there who is able to ensure the first period, the period of the coming until a given moment. These are all elements which, at a given moment, create a certain hesitation among all subscribers, I would say “, he notes.
On the campus, the immigration law adopted by Parliament in France arouses a certain indifference. Far from these debates, Mireille, a third-year modern literature student, cites the financial barrier: “ My parents don’t have enough money, so we’ll make do. I’m going to continue here, I have to give up a dream of studying there, since I don’t have enough means for that. »
Bill on hand, Saint-Clair Allah, secretary general of the Student and School Federation of Côte d’Ivoire (Fesci), expresses his concern: “ If, today, there are laws to restrict access to knowledge, there is a problem. The principle of restrictions worries us. » Finally, the question of outlets arises. This trade unionist cites the case of these approximately 2,000 doctorate holders who have not found employment, a sign, according to him, of the weak guarantees after long studies.
Also read: The number of African students in France reaches a record in 2022
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