Dialogues on the Socio-Professional Participation of Africans, African Diasporas, and Caribbean Communities with Canadian Academic Backgrounds
Mar 4, 2025 — 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Organized by the CRIVASH (Interdisciplinary Research and Knowledge Valorization Center on Haiti) on March 4, 2025, this event features two panel discussions focusing on:
- Challenges of University Admissions for Africans and African Diaspora communities in Canadian institutions.
- The Link Between Academic Journeys and Workforce Integration – exploring the experiences of international students from various countries, with a focus on how gender influences their educational and professional trajectories.
Description
This event follows the first roundtable held in November 2024 and is a collaborative initiative between Forum Afrique Monde, CIUSS Sherbrooke, CIUSS Montreal, and the University of Ottawa. The goal is to build bridges between academic and professional environments in Francophone African countries and Canada. These dialogues center on the perspectives of those directly affected, expanding viewpoints by involving students and professionals from African, African Diaspora, and Francophone Caribbean backgrounds.
Objectives and Context
Based on reflections from the first roundtable, this second event aims to:
- Understand the complexities of international student admissions, particularly the impact of administrative criteria.
- Analyze the effects of socio-educational and professional experiences on graduates’ career paths.
Panel Discussions
Challenges in Admission Processes:
- The recognition of international diplomas remains a significant issue in both Quebec and Canada, leading to underemployment or overqualification in the job market.
- Similar challenges arise during university admissions, where students face hurdles in credential recognition.
- This panel will explore their experiences, focusing on the extent to which prior achievements are acknowledged (or not) during the admission process.
Gender Dynamics in Education and Workforce Integration:
- This discussion will focus on the gendered experiences of international students from Africa and the Caribbean as they transition from education to professional life.
- Key questions include:
- How do gender and cultural background influence their entry into the local job market (host country) or in their countries of origin?
- Are there notable gender-specific career pathways?
Invited Panelists
- Célia Romulus, Professor, Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies, University of Ottawa
- Gishleine Oukouomi, PhD
- Hérold Constant, MA
- Cécile Ouattara, PhD Candidate
Schedule Overview
- 9:00 - 9:30 AM - Welcome and Opening Remarks
- 9:30 - 10:15 AM - Panel #1: Insights on the Admission Process: Student Experiences vs. University Administration Practices
- 10:15 - 10:30 AM - Coffee Break
- 10:30 - 11:15 AM - Panel #2: Post-Graduation Experiences: Gender Perspectives on Workforce Integration
- 11:15 - 11:45 AM - Audience Q&A
- 11:45 - 12:00 PM - Closing Remarks
Moderators and Organizers
- Walner Osna, Co-founder of CRIVASH, PhD Candidate in Sociology, University of Ottawa
- Andy Antoine, CRIVASH Member, Master’s Student in Sociology, University of Ottawa
- Nathalie Mondain, Associate Professor, School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies, University of Ottawa
- Nicolas Kango, International Project Manager, Askoria; Co-founder of Forum Afrique Monde
- Anta Niang, Researcher, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS; Associate Professor, School of Social Work, University of Sherbrooke
- Alphonse Pignan, Co-founder of Forum Afrique Monde
- Jacqueline Schneider, Researcher, Savoirs Partagés Research Center, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal; Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Montreal