France woos India, plans to have 10,000 students by 2020

Disheartened by UK’s Brexit and US President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies, students planning to study abroad can definitely look at France as a welcoming destination as the country plans to increase its Indian student target to 10,000 by 2020.

“India is a major strategic partner for France and we consider that student mobility is an essential leverage for greater exchanges between our two countries. We are committed to keeping our doors wide open to Indian students and providing them with the best educational opportunities,” Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler has said.

To connect better with students, Campus France India, a service provided by the French government to promote education and Institut Français India are bringing well-known French universities at four cities in India: Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Indore. For the first time, a PhD Tour will also bring together representatives of French universities with prospective PhD students.

Representatives of more than 30 French institutions, including B-schools, engineering and specialised schools such as law, design and hotel management will be visiting Delhi on February 25; Kolkata on February 27, Bengaluru on March 2 and Indore on March 4.

Prominent B-schools expected to participate include Rennes School of Business, ESCP Europe and ESSEC Business School. Engineering schools include ENAC (National School for Civil Aviation) and Ecole Central (Lille and Nantes).

France boasts of a number of top academic institutes. When it comes to the quality of life, Paris was voted as the best international student city by the QS team from 2012 to 2016. Five French cities appear among the top 100 cities listed in the 2017 QS Ranking.

Education is also not as expensive as in the UK and US as students get tuition fee waivers. France ranks third among the most innovative countries.