France To Welcome 30,000 Indian Students By 2030
Indian students who wish to fly to France for their higher studies often find the visa issues as a stumbling block in reaching their destination. France Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou says that this will no longer be and issue any more. Mr. Mathou said that Emmanuel Macron, President of France is willing to take in 30,000 Indian students to France by the year of 2023.
Mr. Mathou also talked about France decision to provide five-year short-stay Schengen visa for those who have spent at least a semester in France. According to Mr. Mathou, France believes in “fostering and cherishing” the connection formed within the students who spends at least a semester in France. Indian students who have a Master’s degree or above in their possession by this summer and have spent minimum of a semester in the country can apply for the five year Schengen Visa. Mr. Mathou said the arrangement aims at enabling Indian students especially alumni to draw a close link with France.
Talking to IANS, the France Ambassador said France is aiming at all the youngsters of India who wish to study abroad. He said “going to France is much easier as compared to other countries” and the country is trying to do everything to “make the process easier”.
Mr. Mathou said France is aiming at business, engineering and design programmes predominantly and ensure that students will have “first-hand” information from 50 universities, Grandes Ecoles and colleges from where they could attain information about the programmes they wanted to choose. According to Mr. Mathou, there would be total of 22 business and management schools, 17 engineering schools, three arts and design schools, five public universities, two hospitality and tourism schools and one French language school. He also added that international classes will be arranged within the universities to enable non-francophone students to opt for Bachelor’s Degre in French after one year of training.
Mr. Mathou said “different measures have been taken to reinforce France and India’s strong partnership after PM Narendra Modi’s visit to France during Bastille Day in July.
