The French Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rémi Maréchaux, has highlighted the importance of the 7th Student Fair, which will take place in Kinshasa on September 25-26. The event aims to provide opportunities for young Congolese to pursue higher education in France and create jobs. The fair will also be held in Lubumbashi on September 23. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen cooperation between France and the DRC in the fields of education and scientific research.
According to Ambassador Maréchaux, the DRC has a significant potential for growth in terms of student mobility. He noted that the Republic of Congo, with a population of around 6.3 million, has 8,300 students in France, while the DRC, with a population of nearly 110 million, has a much lower number of students in France. The ambassador emphasized that France is committed to increasing its intake of international students, with a target of 500,000 by 2027.
The Student Fair will provide an opportunity for young Congolese to learn about the various educational opportunities available in France. Ambassador Maréchaux stressed that it is essential for students and their families to be well-informed about the content of the training, prerequisites, recognition of diplomas, job prospects, and budget requirements. He also highlighted that France is proud of its tradition of welcoming international students and wants to see more Congolese students take advantage of this opportunity.
The number of Congolese students in France has been increasing, with a 44% rise over the past five years. Currently, there are 3,450 Congolese students in French universities. The ambassador expressed his satisfaction with this trend but noted that there is still room for growth. He also mentioned that the French government is committed to supporting the modernization of higher education in the DRC through various projects, including the Project to Support Higher Education (PAES).
The PAES project, funded by the French Development Agency and implemented by Expertise France, aims to support the modernization of higher education in the DRC. The project has a budget of 25 million euros and focuses on strengthening the skills of teachers and researchers. Additionally, a cohort of ten doctoral students will spend six months in French universities as part of the project.
The Student Fair will also showcase various partnerships between French and Congolese universities. One example is the partnership between the Université Loyola du Congo and the Icam, which trains technicians and engineers in line with industry needs. Another example is the double degree program in public health between the Université Protestante au Congo and the Université Paris-Saclay.
The 7th Student Fair is expected to attract a large number of participants, with over 3,000 attendees last year. This year, the event will be held in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, providing an opportunity for more young people to access information and guidance on educational opportunities in France. The fair is seen as a crucial step in promoting entrepreneurship and job creation in the DRC.
Key points
- The 7th Student Fair aims to provide opportunities for young Congolese to pursue higher education in France and create jobs.
- France has a target of 500,000 international students by 2027 and wants to see more Congolese students take advantage of this opportunity.
- The event will showcase various partnerships between French and Congolese universities, promoting cooperation in education and scientific research.
