France Promoted India as Exchange Destination for Students

France is acknowledged as one of the famous and influential country all over the world. There is a cordial relation maintained between India and France, for a long time. India has been pus sheared as an exchange destination for French Students studying in India with France making plans to invite 30,000 Indian Learners by the Year 2030 in line with the Franco Indian Roadmap. India and France who have always been good allies, are now easing out exchanges between the two countries with higher learning institutions forming the core. This implies that there are opportunities for students from India to go to France to further their education and apply for colleges and universities in France.

What’s been talked in the Panel discussion: India, place of Talents and Innovation?

• CNCCEF India (Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France) collaborated with the National Commission Training to organize a panel discussion that offered insights on modern India’s multi-faceted perspective including cultural, economic and educational. The target audience was French Students likely to choose India for their semester exchange, internships and even volunteer work for International Experience in India.
• The Event covered a number of interesting topics under the theme “India, Place of Talents and Innovation” and one of them showcased an outlook of the Indian higher education system, another one spoke of the Indian economy which is presently the 5th largest in the world with its technological advances, capabilities of the growing sectors such as aerospace and defense, establishment of businesses in the country, and employment opportunities available for the French in India, among others.

"Let’s also mention that the Event presented a great variety of participants, and over 2000 French students from 65 institutions of France took part in it."

• There was also an evident urge to enhance support for the Indian Education campaign amongst the French students. To initiate this, the speakers placed importance on the need for more and stronger university partnerships. They also pointed out that these partnerships must be balanced, taking into account the fact that the number of students sent to France and to India should be the same.

Anticipated Impact of the Panel Discussion on India: India, place of Talents and Innovation

• As per the current trends, almost 10000 Indian students are likely to choose France as their study engagement with study students abroad increasing to 25000 by 2025.
• This trend reflects not only the significant demand of Indian students to seek education abroad, but also indicates greater cultural and academic interaction between India and France in future.
• If, with the exception of a few, most of the French students have traditionally tended towards countries in Latin America or even China for study or exchange semesters, India being rich in culture and offered great academic opportunities so far has not however been that embraced. This calls for the promotion of India a great exchange hub for the young French community as this demographic have a lot to experience and enjoy in India.
• It is a case of both countries benefiting from the program since the initiative also promotes the country for semester exchange that is free of charge. French students are also able to acquire knowledge from a very different environment.
• The survey expects the number of Indian students who intend to propose the semester exchange program, internships, or their first employment in India, within the next few years to increase.

"Over 412,000 international students study in France, making it the sixth most popular study destination."

• Through a media briefing dated 7th July 20223, It was revealed by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, a new feature aimed at the Indian students intending to pursue studies in France. French degree holders from French higher learning institutions (master’s degrees and above) will now be granted a short stay Schengen visa with a validity of five years. This type of visa also eases the process of applying for a visa and enables students to travel to other Schengen states while in France, adding value to their international experience.
• To increase the scope of opportunities, as reported sources by Campus France India, the temporary Schengen visa, which was constrained to students on master level programs, will also be available for approximately 1000 – 1500 Indian students on exchanges in France. This is a significant measure since it means that now students at different levels from India can to some extent, visit France and benefit from its education.
• In addition to this, French President Emmanuel Macron, who was the Chief Guest during India Republic Day 2024 Celebrated on 26 January noticed the launch of Classes Internationales. These classes are meant for the Indian students wanting to go to France for a year’s French course, before starting the course of their choice. This program does provide a firm footing in French language but most importantly trains them, culturally, how to prepare for academia in France.
• India and France on the other hand, will also set up a bilateral system for promoting and facilitating in-depth research and are also poised to develop a joint Master in health care degree program through the Franco-Indian campus in the Indo-Pacific area.

Conclusion

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