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Press release

International deception of medical students !

Paris, November 28th 2018

On November 19th 2018, the french Prime minister Edouard Philippe presented the governmental strategy to attract international students, “Choose France”.

This strategy aims to increase the french universities’ attractiveness towards the “most brilliant and most worthy” students around the world. However, the government plans to multiply by 15 the tuition fees for students coming from outside the European Union.

The International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA) represents 1.3 million medical students all over the world and is a dynamic platform of opportunities for the future physicians but has also served as their voice at the international level. It develops international exchanges, both clinical and research, public health actions, and raises awareness regarding sustainable development and other major impactful topics.

Both ANEMF and IFMSA oppose this discriminatory resolution. Whereas it is supposed to promote France’s attractiveness, it will exclude underprivileged students. Such a social unfairness is unacceptable and goes against the french universities’ model.

To mistake wealth for excellence is dangerous and wrong. Being rich does not mean being a prime student, and wealth is not needed to be one. The government wants to bring “higher education within reach of all students by helping them, in all their diversity, along the path to success.”*. Increasing the tuition fees doesn’t go along with this purpose.

We regularly promote the diversification of our students’ profiles, either educationally or socially. The government’s stand is a step back in this regard and we urge all responsible officials and universities to ensure social fairness for international students.

Both ANEMF and IFMSA support the mobilization of French students together with FAGE (Federation of General Students’ Associations) on Saturday, December 1st.

Clara BONNAVION
ANEMF – President
presidence@anemf.org | 06 50 38 64 94

José CHEN
IFMSA – Vice-president for public relation and communication
vpprc@ifmsa.org

* French governement’s website : https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/student-plan-helping-everyone-along-the-path-to-success