Trends and Orientations of Cameroonian Students upon Graduation from Chinese Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This study investigates the trends and orientations upon graduation of increasing Cameroonian students in China. Its purpose is to know where these students really choose to go after graduating from Chinese higher education institutions. By using a mixed method approach, including questionnaire and interview, the findings provide evidence that many Cameroonian students in Chinese higher education institutions do not show a real interest for returning home despite a tightened employment environment in China. Some of the respondents prefer to go in adventure in other foreign countries. Others do not have a pre-defined direction but will cherish the opportunities that may arise. Another group, on the contrary, would like to stay in China. The unconducive and hostile conditions in the home country were reported as demotivating factor for both the return and the contribution to the home country’s development from afar. Thus, there is a critical need for Cameroon and African countries in general to creates conditions for a good environment of competence transfer by these graduates even though they remain in their host countries or choose to go elsewhere.

Keywords

• cameroonian students
• student mobility
• trends and orientations
• chinese higher education institutions