In May, the Quebec and Francophone Regional Meeting took place at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) in Gatineau. It brought together over 130 international education practitioners from francophone universities across Canada. Day one began with an engaging consultation session with Global Affairs Canada as they gathered feedback for the next international education strategy. The Regional Meeting focused on key themes in international education, including the challenges of balancing security and academic freedom, as well as integration and social isolation experienced by international students.
One highlight of the event was the launch of Camie, an online training course designed to support the inclusion of international students. The course provides valuable information and raises awareness within institutions about the challenges faced by international students. A former African student shared their personal experiences, emphasizing the social difficulties that impacted their academic success and the importance of fostering inclusivity.
Participants heard updates on the International Student Program from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This session also gave space for discussion on support for international students with their study permit challenges. Generally, concern was expressed about expediting visa processing times, as this issue affects the entire international education sector.
The second day of the Regional Meeting included sessions focusing on mental health support and privacy considerations in an international context. Additionally, the Quebec government showcased its efforts to attract more international students and highlighted the various programming available in the province.
The presence of ambassadors from Belgium, France, Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of Congo, Haiti, Rwanda, Madagascar, Moldova, and Switzerland further enhanced the meeting’s significance, and participants connected with these representatives during a networking event.
The Quebec Regional Meeting served as a platform for productive exchange, contributing to advancing and enriching international education in Quebec and francophone institutions across Canada.
CBIE would like to thank this year’s host institution and the organizing committee for their hard work and creativity that resulted in an exceptional event.
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