Paper short abstract:

This paper aims at reporting the identity of the student from rural area in his new environment of study in the town of Bamako. It describes how smartphones’ revolution impacts the social, cultural integration and as well as the learning process at the University of social sciences in Bamako.

Paper long abstract:

Mobile technologies have revolutionized the world. Education is not an exception.

This paper aims at reporting the identity of the student from rural area in his new environment of study in the town of Bamako. It describes how smartphones' revolution impacts the social, cultural integration and the learning process as well at the University of social sciences in Bamako.

In Mali, High education is characterized by the lack of materials and facilities such as libraries, availability of books and weakness of the internet bits and non- existing of wireless on the campus. So, since the advent of smartphones, many students use them as alternative to the lack of materials. Possessing a smartphone becomes, then, a means of social and cultural integration.

If some students discovered smartphones in their native place (city), many others (from rural areas) have discovered them after starting their university study.

Indeed, smartphones have become inseparable companions of students. They use it anywhere and anytime. They use is not done in an isolated way but is always part of the learning activity.

However, the mobile technology revolution has led to the massive, rapid and uncontrolled use of smartphones by students at the University of Bamako. Higher education is most affected by the massive use of smartphones. How the appropriation of a smartphone constitutes a dynamic of social and cultural integration in the urban university environment of Bamako? This is our focus in this study.

Our research methodology consisted of documentary research, one-on- one interview with students using smartphones in the context of their university study.