As the four cégeps in the region of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean welcome their students this week, they also are reflecting on how their enrolment has been affected by policy and process changes. Leaders from Cégep de Chicoutimi, Cégep de Jonquière, Cégep de Saint-Félicien, and Collège d’Alma each noted that their enrolment has remained stable overall, but with slight decreases to international enrolment. Christian Tremblay (Cégep de Chicoutimi) credited the stability to the four institutions’ joint effort to recruit in France, but noted that efforts in French-speaking Africa have faced difficulties relating to government policy. Frédéric Tremblay (Collège d’Alma) and Julie Gaudreault (Cégep de Saint-Félicien) noted how changes to financial requirements, processing times, and post-graduation permit requirements have all contributed to a tighter international enrolment environment.
