Universität zu Köln

Kaji, Severin Aleance (2022). Student Migration from Cameroon to China. Government Rhetoric and Student Experiences. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

Abstract This study examines China-Cameroon educational cooperation with focus on student migration from Cameroon to China. Student migration is approached from the perspectives of the states and Cameroonian students currently studying in China and those who have graduated and returned to Cameroon. Government rhetoric about student migration is one of the main topics of this thesis. Cameroonian authorities view student mobility to China as a means of ‘learning from China’ in sophisticated domains. This is in line with the Chinese government’s official rhetoric which portrays the training of African students and professionals as a ‘knowledge sharing’ strategy under a ‘Cooperation in Human Resources Development and Education’. It is within this framework that China has stated its commitment to assist Africa in Human Resources Development (HRD). I argue that discourses of ‘knowledge sharing’ and ‘learning from China’ do not translate into reality, due to structural and legal challenges students face during their training in China on the one hand, and the lack of a stringent student migration policy in Cameroon, on the other hand. This dissertation also contributes to the soft power debate. Beyond the official framing of the China-Africa educational cooperation as a measure of developmental support, the Chinese government (like many other countries in the world) unofficially resorts to education as a soft power resource. I engage with this debate using students´ satisfaction with social and academic experiences as the precondition for education to become an effective strategy in China’s soft power or image-branding endeavor. I argue that despite China´s investment in a generous scholarship scheme and favorable student visa policy which have attracted an impressive number of African students and professionals in general, the outcome in terms of soft power is seemingly still limited. Despite their excitement with and praise for the quality of social facilities and the university infrastructure in China, Cameroonian students are dissatisfied with their overall academic and social experiences. Finally, the research endeavor assesses students’ migration motivations and expectations in comparison to that of the states. I argue that the two categories of stakeholders have divergent and contrasting expectations. Whereas the Cameroonian state views student migration as a means of transferring Chinese knowledge and know-how to Cameroon, the majority of the students (be them scholarship holders or self-funded students) do not necessarily prioritize acquiring knowledge and returning to Cameroon. The line between the economic and academic dimensions of their migratory projects is blurred. Enrolling in a Chinese university is not synonymous with having a sustainable academic project for a career prospect. It is rather embedded in a broader migration project of which the ultimate aim is to improve on one’s chances toward financial security and social mobility. Despite their dissatisfaction with the quality of education and social life in China, they appreciate and take advantage of resources and opportunities offered by the local economic environment. Furthermore, the Chinese language skills acquired during their stay in China increase the chances of the returnees in the labor market in Cameroon.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Translated title:	Title Language Student Migration from Cameroon to China. Government Rhetoric and Student Experiences English
Translated abstract:	Abstract Language UNSPECIFIED English
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Kaji, Severin Aleance kajikaji105@yahoo.fr UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-550633
Date:	6 February 2022
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 4: Außereuropäische Sprachen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften > Institut für Ethnologie
Subjects:	Social sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Student migration; soft power, student satisfaction,government rhetoric, China, Cameroon, educational cooperation UNSPECIFIED Student jobs in China, student internship in China,extraversion, mixed migration UNSPECIFIED
Date of oral exam:	27 January 2020
Referee:	Name Academic Title Pelican, Michaela Prof.Dr. Michael, Bollig Prof.Dr. Mimche, Honoré Prof.Dr.
Funders:	DAAD: German Academic Exchange Service, DFG, Otto Wolff Stiftungen, Global South Study Center, University of
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/55063