"The rector of UQAM advocates for the removal of quotas," is the rephrased statement.

The University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) is currently grappling with a decrease in admission requests from abroad, according to recent reports. This decline, amounting to a 39% drop in one year, has been attributed to the quotas imposed by the Legault government on the number of foreign students.

In an interview, UQAM's rector, Stéphane Pallage, expressed his concerns about the impact of these quotas on the university. He called for their abolition, fearing a scenario where a doctoral candidate could have their Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) request refused a few months before obtaining their diploma due to the quota.

Pallage also highlighted the importance of universities as places for integration in Quebec. He reflected on the current students as the heirs of Guy Rocher, a sociologist who played a significant role in the creation of UQAM in 1966. Today, 40% of UQAM's students are first-generation university students, a testament to the university's mission of making higher education accessible.

The rector also expressed a desire for significant reinvestment in the university. He believes that universities are crucial to Quebec's economy and society, and the current budgetary restrictions in higher education are leading to the postponement of important projects, such as a library renovation.

One such project is the development of a new Faculty of Medicine with other institutions in the Université du Québec (UQ) network. In June, the UQ network received $350,000 from the Legault government to develop a fledgling program in family medicine. The project to create a Faculty of Health Sciences at UQAM is also progressing, with discussions about creating a DEC-BAC program in nursing with CEGEPs.

However, UQAM expects a decrease in international student registrations, but cannot yet quantify it. The university has no real-time way of knowing the number of CAQ requests made. This uncertainty, coupled with the budgetary constraints, is causing concern among university officials.

Pallage also addressed the impact of the Legault government's measures on Quebec's image abroad. During a professional trip to Morocco, he observed the effects of these measures firsthand. He believes that the measures have harmed Quebec's image, and he called for the resumption of the Quebec Experience program for foreign graduates.

In conclusion, UQAM is facing challenges due to the decrease in international student admissions and registrations, a result of the Legault government's quotas on foreign students. The university's rector, Stéphane Pallage, has called for the abolition of these quotas and the resumption of the Quebec Experience program, hoping to maintain UQAM's commitment to making higher education accessible and fostering integration in Quebec.