"Choose France Tour 2023" Aims To Enhance Indo-French Educational Ties

The French government's "Choose France Tour 2023" educational initiative is underway in India. This program is focused on enhancing educational ties between the two nations. The goal of this initiative is to host 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030. The tour features the participation of 50 French educational institutions, including universities, Grandes Écoles and colleges.

Running from 8 October to 15 October in cities such as Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai, the event is organised by the French Institute in India, in collaboration with Campus France and supported by Alliance Française. The tour not only aims to facilitate academic exchanges but also offers Indian students insights into job opportunities in France.

Apart from the Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications agreement between France and India, which eases admissions, recent initiatives include the creation of 'international French classes' to aid non-Francophone students. These classes will help Indian students adapt to the French education system and study in France. A 5-year validity short-stay Schengen visa will be available to Indian students holding a Master's degree or higher after their first semester. Approximately 1,600 programs in fields such as management, engineering, hospitality, humanities, arts, architecture and design are offered in English.

Students have the opportunity to explore scholarship options, visa opportunities, and student life in France, including support for employment policies during and after their studies. Additionally, students can benefit from the cultural richness of France, with access to over 40,000 monuments, 41 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 8,000 museums and nearly 500 festivals.

The tour is not limited to students; Indian and French educators are also exploring potential collaborations during this initiative.

Participating Institutes cover various fields such as Management and Business, Engineering, Public Universities, Art and Design, Gastronomy and Hospitality and French Language School. These institutions aim to provide Indian students with a diverse range of educational opportunities in France.