Study in Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country located in Central Africa. This is where the Sahara Desert meets tropical Africa, where the pastoral traditions of Africa meet with the colonial architecture of France.

The central African Republic is composed mainly of grasslands, deserts, and woodland savanna. A truly unique country to study in.

Education in the Central African Republic is compulsory for the ages of 6 to 14 years. It is an understated but interesting study abroad destination and international students and researchers can apply to study for bachelor, masters, Ph.D., and any postdoctoral degree programs.

Though previously torn by unrest, the country is taking strides to revive its education sector. It is one of the countries chosen mostly by research students from all around the world to study in.

Central African Republic’s higher education system is made up of 2 main universities, the University of Bangui, and EUCLID University.

These offer a wide range of programs including applied linguistics, translation and interpretation, anthropology, arts and humanities, geography, communication studies, English, educational sciences, history, information sciences, philosophy, social sciences, modern languages, Spanish, and sociology, business administration, biomedicine, community health, anesthesiology, gynecology and obstetrics, health sciences, health education, laboratory techniques, medicine, midwifery, nursing, pediatrics, public health, social work, surgery, agricultural education, agriculture, agricultural engineering, arts and humanities, biological and life sciences, earth sciences, cattle breeding, educational and student counselling, education psychology, forestry, geography, human geography, mathematics, history, mathematics education, modern languages, pedagogy, physics, primary education, teacher training, and secondary education, cattle breeding, water management, forestry, and rural studies, law, economics, management, private law, public law, and rural planning, biology, building technologies, chemistry, computer engineering, civil engineering, computer science, geology, geological engineering, industrial engineering, mathematics, mining engineering, physics, technology, and science education tom mention but a few.

The literacy rate of the Central African Republic was at 37.4% as of 2018, with the male literacy rate at 49.21% and female literacy at 25.76%.

Important things to note

If you are looking to study in the Central African Republic, there are a few things you have to take note of:

Money-the Central African franc (CFA/ XAF) is the currency used in the country. You can change your money into local currency when you arrive in the country. Note that it is also easier for you to change Euros than it is to change US dollars into the CFA franc.

Traveler's cheques may be accepted and exchanged at banks. There are no international ATMs. Hotels and other establishments, though very few, can accept credit cards or debit cards.

Medical Requirements- travelers to the Central African Republic are encouraged to be vaccinated for Yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, Malaria, Rabies, and Typhoid.

About Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a country located in Central Africa. It is a landlocked country bordered by Sudan in the northeast, South Sudan in the southeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the south, Chad in the north, Congo to the southwest, and Cameroon in the west.

It has an area of about 622,984 square kilometers and had an estimated population of around 4 829 767 million as of 2020 making it 119th in the world, with a population density of 8.7 people per square kilometer.

The country obtained independence from France on the 13th of August in 1960. The country's current borders were established by the French, who ruled the country from the 19th century.

The country’s markets are always full of life and people and are a perfect place to interact with and better understand the culturally diverse groups of central Africans as they are called. They are very inquisitive, warm, and generous people.

Ethnic groups

there are several ethnic groups in the Central African Republic including the Baggara Arabs, Baka, Banda, Bayaka, Fula, Gbaya, Kara, Kresh, Mbaka, Mandja, Ngbandi, Sara, Vidiri, Wodaabe, Yakoma, Yulu, Zande, to mention but a few.

Did you know? Facts about the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC.

• It is a landlocked country

• The congo rainforest is partially located in Central African Republic.

• It is believed to be one of the least polluted countries

• It is home to the Pygmy people who are short and below five feet tall.

• It has vast natural resources including diamonds, gold, oil, timber, and manganese

• It has more than 209 animal species, 168 bird species, and more than 3600 plant species.

Must see places in the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

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Dzanga-Sangha National Park

is located in a rain forest area. It is located southwest of the country and was established in 1990 and it covers an area of 6865.54 square kilometers.

The park is an ecologically rich area with a variety of animals including elephants, gorillas, bongo antelopes, buffaloes, bushpigs, duikers, white-nosed monkeys, mustache monkeys, grey-cheek mangabeys, leopards, chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, shrews, hyraxes, civet cats, and a wide variety of bird species including the kingfisher, and crowned forest eagles.

Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park

It is a well-populated park with a variety of wildlife, including leopards, lions, cheetahs, elephants, Sudan cheetahs, red-fronted gazelles, buffaloes, giraffes, rhinos, and a wide range of waterfowl species.

It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988

Bamingui-Bangoran National Park

Is located in the northeast of CAR. Its ecosystem is diverse as it has a tropical dry, or deciduous forest, dry forest, wooded savanna, gallery forest, and edaphic savanna. Tree varieties include the Terminalia, Isoberlinia Doka, and Anogeissus.

Animals species include monkeys, the Chadian wild dog, the Sudan cheetah, central African lion, antelopes, and the African Manatee, to mention but a few.

The park also has a variety of amphibian species including the natal puddle frog, cryptic sand frog, ornate frog, crowned bullfrog, flat-backed toad, shovelnose frog, Mascarene ridged frog, to mention but a few. A park is a place worth visiting to appreciate the unique environment.

Zemongo Faunal Reserve

is a protected reserve established in 1925 and extended in 1975. It is made up of dense savanna woodland, and gallery forests. The reserve has several primate species including chimpanzees and monkeys. Other animal species include antelopes and elephants.

About Central African Republic's Economy

The central African Republic is a low-income country. Its currency is the CFA franc XOA, which is accepted in most West African countries and trades at a fixed rate to the euro.

The Central African Republic has significant mineral deposits and other resources, such as uranium, crude oil, gold, diamonds, cobalt, lumber, and hydropower, as well as significant quantities of arable land. It has a traditional economic system where agriculture and forestry are the backbones of the economy.

GDP (PPP) as of 2019 was estimated at $4.262 billion, with a GDP Per capita of $823. Nominal GDP was estimated at $2.321 billion, with a Per capita value of $448. Its GDP grew from 3.8% in 2018 to 4.8% in 2019.

Inflation however increased from 1.6% to 3.2% in 2019 then reduced to 2.6% in 2020. The country’s GDP contribution by sector was:

 Services 43.57%

 Agriculture 32.43%

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 Industry 21.13%

Agriculture

Subsistence agriculture and forestry remain the backbone of the economy. More than 70% of the population lives in outlying areas and practice subsistence farming, growing crops like cassava, maize, sorghum, peanuts, and plantains, to mention but a few.

Agriculture is dominated by the growing and sale of crops such as cassava, peanuts, maize, sesame, sorghum, millet, and plantains. The total production of cassava ranges between 200 000 to 300 000 tonnes a year, while the production of cotton ranges from 25 000 to 45 000 tonnes a year.

Much of the country is self-sufficient in food crops which bring foreign currency. These crops, cassava, cotton, and coffee are exported to other countries for more foreign currency.

Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and poultry are also kept, usually for domestic consumption. Livestock development is however mostly hindered by the tsetse fly prevalent in the country.

Manufacturing

Industry in the Central African Republic consists of the food processing industry, textile industries, and the lumber industry where they make boards for export. One of the country’s oldest and largest industries is brewery primarily for domestic consumption.

Mining

The country has significant mineral deposits such as uranium, crude oil, gold, diamonds, copper, and manganese. Diamonds are the country's most important export, accounting for half of the export revenue.

Trade

Imports in the central African republic were estimated at $393.1million as of 2017. The country’s main import partners include France with 17.1% of imports, the United States with 12.3%, India with 11.5%, South Africa 7.4%, Japan 5.8%, Italy 5.1%, Netherlands 4.6%, and China with 8.2%. Import products include foodstuffs, machinery, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Its main export partners include France with 31.2%, Burundi 16.2%, China 12.5%, Cameroon 9.6%, and Austria with 7.8%. The export value was estimated at 113.7 million as of 2017.

Export goods include timber, diamonds, cotton, coffee, cassava, and gold, to mention but a few.

Services

Tourism in the Central African Republic is not as big as most countries. This is because of the country’s political environment and limited capacity.

Why Study in Central African Republic

Internationally recognized degrees

Universities in the Central African Republic offer some programs leading to an internationally recognized degree.

Scholarship opportunities

There are several Nations, business entities, and non-governmental organizations that provide scholarships to assist students in their studies. These can be need-based or merit-based.

Opportunity to learn new languages

Central African Republic is a diverse country in terms of language and ethnic groups. Studying there could provide an opportunity for language enthusiasts to learn a new language.

Unique Cuisines

Studying in the Central African Republic provide you with an opportunity to taste the unique cuisine and local food. There are a couple of sites to behold as well, with several nature reserves and UNESCO world heritage site.

Scholarships in Central African Republic

Scholarships are available for students who wish to study in the Central African Republic.

Some of the known categories of scholarships in the central African republic include engineering scholarships, merit based scholarships, need based scholarships, athletic scholarships, art scholarships, medical scholarships, research scholarships, and grants, to mention but a few.

Central African Republic Student Visa

There are several Visa that can be issued for travel to the Central African Republic. These include the tourist visa, student visa, business visa, or diplomatic visa.

Prospective travelers must apply for the relevant visa stating their reason for travel to the Central African Republic. Visa can be obtained from the consulate or at the embassy and can be applied for online.

The Host country has the right to issue or reserve issuance of a visa at their discretion.