At UQAC, one in three students is foreign

On the campus of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), nearly a five-hour drive from Montreal, one in three students comes from another continent.

In some classes, there are more foreigners than local students.

Marie-Josée Roy, for example, teaches an accounting course, followed by 125 students, 120 of whom are from elsewhere.

Dioula and Wolof mix with French and other languages ​​in the corridors and cafes of the university, which overlooks the Saguenay River.

New African businesses are set up on the street: the Sèlô Resto opened its doors in October on Talbot Boulevard, near the Bar Le Baobab, and the Saguenay African Market opened in November, on Racine Est Street, a few minutes from market of the QueBeclava pastry shop, a mecca, as you might guess, for baklava.

Foreign students have been attending UQAC for over 20 years. This is not new. In 2012, there were 500. In 2019, 1500. But since the COVID-19 crisis, this clientele has experienced a boom. In proportion, UQAC today has as many students from abroad as McGill.

Rise of Africans

The newcomers are mainly African. This year, out of 6,500 students, 2,125 come from elsewhere: 50% from French-speaking Africa, 41% from France and 9% from 50 other countries.

Saguenay is not the only city to rely on foreign students to ensure its growth. But she seems to be leading this race. The proportion of foreign students at UQAC is more than double that of UQAM (14%) and other regional universities in the Université du Québec network.

“The French often come with a double diploma,” explains Marie-Karlynn Laflamme, director of communications. “In their school curriculum, they have an obligation to spend a year abroad. Often they choose us. But they are only passing through. Africans are regular students. They want to settle here. This is what has completely changed. »

Sanae Benaissa, 27, began her doctorate at UQAC in 2021. “I have to finish in the fall of 2024,” specifies the Moroccan. Will she stay in Chicoutimi? “It depends on the opportunities. I would prefer to stay. But it’s certain that I’m not going back to live in Morocco. »

Ghada Gmati, 28, from Tunisia, is also studying for a doctorate. She did a three-month internship at UQAC in 2019 before returning in 2021 to undertake post-graduate studies. “I like the region, the greenery, the calm. This is really me, she declares. I feel comfortable here. I plan to apply for permanent residency. The important thing for me is to stay in Quebec. »

17,000 requests

How did this university, far from major centers, in a region renowned for its long and cold winters, become a center of attraction for young people from all over the world?

Several factors explain its success. The first: UQAC is increasing its efforts. Twenty-two missions take place each year, mainly in France, to approach students.

“Those who arrive here, the first thing I say to them is well done! », says Guylaine Boivin, director of the international office at UQAC. “Because it’s an obstacle course. »

Last year, the university received a record 17,000 applications for admission from students elsewhere. She accepted 10,000! There were finally 2,125, including 400 new ones in January. Others ? They opted for another Quebec university, or failed to obtain the study visa issued by the federal government.

“Foreign students are an asset and a necessity,” explains Guylaine Boivin. It enriches the university experience, it allows the maintenance of certain programs and the development of new programs, particularly at the graduate level. »

Towards immigration

You should know that the population of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is aging. The university cannot therefore rely only on local youth to ensure its development.

Foreign students also provide essential income for the operation of the university. Tuition fees vary depending on the program, but for international students, they generally amount to $23,000 per year, or about eight times more than what Quebec students pay. French and Belgian students must pay around 10 $000 per year, under agreements with the Quebec government.

For students, in addition to life experience abroad, studying in Saguenay is often a way to gain permanent residence. Quebec offers a fast track to immigration for French-speaking foreign students graduating here.

This is what Iranian Samaneh Keshavarzi, 35, a doctoral student in the glaciophobic coatings and surface engineering laboratory, plans to do. “I’ve been taking French classes in the evening for three years,” she explains.

Saba Goharshenas Moghadam, 30 years old, who is doing his doctorate in the same laboratory, also wants to settle here.

Just like Maria Loaiza, 24 years old. “I am going to apply for permanent residence after my studies,” assures the Colombian, registered for a master’s degree. “I might go to Montreal. »

Békibenan Sékongo wants to stay in Saguenay, where he did a doctorate on electric discharges, before undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship in 2023. “I like winter. Here, it’s really not hot like at home! », laughs the 38-year-old Ivorian.

Youssouf Brahami, his 34-year-old colleague, is of the same opinion. “I have been here since May 2023 with my wife and my son who will soon be 3 years old,” specifies the Algerian postdoctoral fellow, in the laboratory for modeling and diagnosis of power line equipment. “We would like to stay. There are employment opportunities in the area. »

“Gigantic” efforts

The number of foreign students is exploding in Canada. Not just in Saguenay. In 2023, the federal government will issue 900,000 study visas. Three times more than 10 years ago.

But this increase will turn into a decline this year. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on January 22 the imposition of a two-year quota on study visas. Around 360,000 permits will be granted in 2024, or 35% less than in 2023.

This does not worry UQAC, which intends to continue its recruitment efforts.

“We don’t have a target, but we want to increase the number of international students and the number of students overall,” explains rector Ghislain Samson. We are working with hoteliers in the region so that they can convert certain rooms and turn them into student accommodation. This is a short and medium term solution. And we also work with entrepreneurs to develop student residences in the medium and long term. »

“Gigantic” efforts are being made to attract them, accommodate them and integrate them, but also “to make them succeed,” adds Étienne Hébert, its vice-rector for studies. “The actions we are taking are very numerous,” he said. We tend to underestimate cultural differences, even with the French. There is a lot of education and integration to be done. »

We must also support Quebec students and teachers in “adapting to this new reality”.

So, growth, yes, but not at all costs.

According to rector Ghislain Samson, “it is going well, but there are still issues with the population because Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean has not been used to this in the past. To see 2,000 students arrive who meet in restaurants, who work in the shopping center, it’s quite unusual! »