Rabat – The Union of Moroccan Students in Chinese Universities has called for a return to face-to-face courses as they have continued education remotely since 2019 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The union urged Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Consulate in Morocco to contact the proper Chinese authorities and find a solution to their situation.
Due to the immense time difference, the students have to attend courses at midnight (GMT+1), which has negatively impacted their academic achievements and health.
“China doesn’t want to open borders for us to go back to continue our studies. We have been studying online for the past year and a half. It’s been a nightmare. We don’t have the education we pay for, and nobody is doing anything to help,” reported Abla.
The students continue to be charged accommodation and insurance fees, stated one of the students.
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“When we talk to the university, they say to ask the consulate to give you a visa they should give you a visa. When we speak to the consulate, they say ask the Chinese government or university,” said Badr.
The ongoing situation has put the students under tremendous pressure. Hafsa stated, “I am physically and mentally exhausted by this online study. I personally don’t know what I am actually studying and doing right now.”
“It’s so hard to stay up all night every night just to keep up with your classes, and it’s even harder to understand what the teachers are trying to say since their English is not the best,” she added.
The involved Moroccan students go to 36 different universities, including Zhengzhou University, Wuhan University of Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Southwest Petroleum University, Northwest University, and Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.
In January 2020, the Moroccan embassy in China assisted the repatriation of Moroccan students amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chinese government promised “to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of Moroccan nationals residing in China, particularly in the city of Wuhan and Hubei province,” said the Moroccan embassy in China.
The Moroccan diplomatic mission also created telephone lines to assist Moroccan nationals residing in China, including students.
