Week 46 for students was marked by notable news events. A new immigration law is being implemented in France, an intriguing story revealed how a student secretly lived in a shopping centre for six months, and the Paul Sabatier University of Toulouse has created its own student currency. Let’s find the details of these phenomena and other news summaries. Keywords: News, student, press review.
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In an effort to enhance student life on its Rangueil campus, the Paul Sabatier University of Toulouse recently launched an innovative initiative. According to Actu Toulouse, this initiative involves the creation of its own currency called Sab’s. The aim of this currency is to encourage student participation in various activities offered by the university and its associations. Students can exchange their Sab’s for university merchandise, such as clothing, bags, and accessories. Moreover, this currency can be carried over from year to year, thus promoting student involvement in campus life and creating a more active and fulfilled student community.
In a broader context, the Journal de Montréal, in collaboration with Immigration Canada and reported by Radio Canada, states that the number of foreign students seeking asylum in Quebec has tripled in five years. The University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR) stands out as the educational institution hosting the largest number of asylum seekers, representing 7% of foreign students on its campus. The rector of UQTR highlights that regional universities host a significant portion of international students from Africa, particularly due to the persecutions some students face in their home countries. Some therefore choose to seek asylum in Canada for a better situation.
In the field of economics, Guillaume Laurens on Actu Toulouse, highlights the success of the Toulouse School of Economics. Affiliated with the University of Toulouse Capitole, this institution ranked 19th in the prestigious Shanghai ranking, placing among the top 20 universities worldwide in economics. The TSE also ranks as the top French institution in this ranking, surpassing Sciences Po Paris and the Paris School of Economics. This recognition confirms the academic and scientific excellence of the TSE, as well as the international reputation of the university, which strives to attract the best students, teachers, and researchers to Toulouse.
In the field of higher education, a ranking of the world’s best engineering schools has been conducted by The Times Higher Education. The Figaro Étudiant article reveals that Harvard University holds the top spot in this ranking, closely followed by Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Among French engineering schools, the article mentions that PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres) and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris distinguished themselves by representing France in this prestigious ranking. This recognition highlights the excellence of French higher education in the field of engineering.
Regarding housing, Chinese students face significant challenges both in France and abroad. Le Figaro Étudiant recounts the story of a student in Shanghai who secretly lived in a shopping centre for six months, setting up a living space under a staircase that included a bed, a tent, and a desk equipped with his computer. Although he was initially spotted by a security guard who chose not to report him, the student was eventually forced to leave the premises following the intervention of another shopping centre employee. This story illustrates the difficulties many Chinese students face due to high rental costs. Finding accommodation that is affordable and suitable for their needs and financial constraints is a major challenge for these students.
Speaking of immigration in France, a recent article published in Maghreb Emergent written by B. Smail, discusses the new immigration law. According to this ongoing law, restrictions are being imposed on family reunification and foreign students. The criteria for family reunification are being tightened, making it more difficult for foreign students to bring their family to France. Furthermore, access to French nationality for minors born in France to foreign parents will be subject to criteria of willingness and assimilation, and a French language level of A2 will be required to obtain a long-term residence permit.
Regarding student immigration, the new ongoing law imposes visa restrictions for countries that do not easily issue consular passes. Foreign students will also need to provide a financial guarantee to cover potential deportation costs when obtaining a first residence permit. The fight against illegal immigration is being strengthened by abolishing State Medical Aid (AME) for undocumented migrants, which is replaced by more limited emergency aid.
In an international context, the United States supports a programme called the Student Leaders Programme aimed at Tunisian students. The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia informs Tunisian students of the opening of applications for the Student Leaders Programme. This one-year programme, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, aims to develop leadership and civic engagement among talented students from the MENA region aged 20 to 24. The focus of the 2024-2025 edition is on climate change and environmental protection. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive four-week summer programme at an American university, with all expenses covered. Eligibility criteria, application procedures, and additional information are available on the programme’s official website. The application deadline is set for 18 December 2023.Finally, Le 360 Afrique notes a significant increase in the number of African students choosing to pursue their studies in the United States in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). These African students are attracted by the learning and research opportunities offered by American universities, as well as the prospect of contributing to the scientific and technological development of their home countries. Nigeria is the African country with the largest number of students in the United States, followed by Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. The total number of international students enrolled in American higher education institutions this academic year has also increased by 12%. This trend reflects the growing importance of international collaboration in the field of education and scientific research.
Also read: 2023 S45 Weekly Student Press Review
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