WebDesk (Ludhiana/New Delhi)
Edited by: Sandeep Dhand
26 January 2024
In a significant move bolstering bilateral ties, French President Emmanuel Macron, the esteemed chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations, unveiled a visionary plan to welcome 30,000 Indian students to French universities by 2030. This commitment reflects a deepening collaboration between the two nations in the realm of education, with Macron terming the target “ambitious” and emphasizing the shared responsibilities for the present and future.
In an official statement, Macron articulated his commitment to this ambitious goal, asserting, “We have a lot to do together now and in the future.” The French President took to social media platform X to announce a groundbreaking initiative called ‘French for All, French for a Better Future.’ This initiative aims to introduce French language learning in public schools, creating new centers and international classes to facilitate students unfamiliar with the language to join French universities seamlessly.
Macron highlighted the pivotal role of education in fostering international collaboration, stating, “We are opening a new way of learning French in public schools, and this will be instrumental in achieving our goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students by 2030.” He emphasized the creation of international classes as a means to enable students without proficiency in French to integrate into the higher education landscape of France.
Furthermore, Macron outlined plans to simplify visa processing for Indian students who choose to pursue their education in France. He underscored the importance of nurturing this exchange, stating, “Not only this, we will also provide visa processing to Indian students who have studied in France. This will help them come back.”
France, known for its rich academic tradition, boasts 35 universities in the prestigious QS ranking and 15 in the Times Higher Education ranking. Macron’s announcement reflects a commitment to maintaining and enhancing the country’s global standing in higher education.
This initiative builds upon President Macron’s earlier pledge during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris last year. Macron, on that occasion, expressed his intention to welcome 20,000 Indian students by 2025. The current announcement not only reaffirms this commitment but also outlines specific measures, such as the issuance of Schengen visas with a validity period of five years to Indian students who have studied in France for at least one semester and have successfully completed a Master’s level degree.
The move is expected to deepen the cultural exchange between the two nations, fostering stronger ties in the realms of academia, innovation, and diplomacy. The long-term vision articulated by President Macron aligns with the broader strategy of positioning France as a global hub for education and research.
As the news reverberates globally, it symbolizes a promising era for Indo-French collaboration in education, emphasizing the transformative power of international student exchanges and the role they play in shaping a more interconnected and collaborative world.