Seeking greater cooperation in education sector, France on Friday said Indian students are most welcome there and that it wants to be a "privileged partner" in the growth that India is witnessing now. "India and France share many things in common. Indian students are most welcome in France. But, we want highly specialised people, competent in specific areas," French Ambassador to India, Jerome Bonnafont, told a conference on 'Management and Professionalisation of Higher Education' here. "All areas are open. Nano-technology, medical research and nuclear science are among few of them. Now, there are 1,200 Indian students in France and we want to triple the number in a few years. For that we have modernised our visa system," he later told a news agency. Observing that higher education must focus more on humanitarian issues, the French diplomat said education system in countries like India is passing through a phase of elitist university system. He said India should develop a university education system like the one existing in the developed countries. source : Zee news
Very good news, France is among the top nations in several aspects even though it's area and population are quite less in proportion to their International presence, influence.
Indo-French relations have always been great so far. France has been a good supporter in many aspects. It supported India as a permanent member for UN, it supported India when there were concerns about Indian nuclear tests in 1998. France is perhaps one of the largest nuclear fuel supplier to India. Not only that, france also supplies a great deal of arms and equipments. Mirage 2000 fighter jet and Scorpene submarine are to name a few.
Indeed yes, India should develop universities and institutions on par with the International ones. And its really great to have support from country like France which is also the abode of many well noted scientists/philosophers such as Pascal. May be India should try to sign in a deal to jointly develop such universities at central level for the Indian as well as foreign students. How good would that be?
