The French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, has announced the opening of two new branches in Udaipur and Bhubaneswar. The Jaipur Alliance Française will open a branch in Udaipur, and the Bengale Alliance Française plans to establish a branch in Bhubaneswar.
The expansion of French language education in India closely aligns with France’s aim to host 20,000 Indian students by 2025 and three lakh by 2030. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris on July 14, France made an important announcement regarding establishing international classes to facilitate the seamless integration of Indian students into French academic programmes, according to the press statement.
Commenting on the latest development, the minister said:
It is very important to speak about academic cooperation between India and France. French is a language of opportunities and cultural exchanges. The French language represents a special connection between France and India. French is the most learned foreign language in India, with approximately six lakh learners across the country.
France recently announced its plan to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, aiming to strengthen its ties with India, both economically and culturally. To achieve this goal, France will establish ‘international classes’ in French universities and colleges. To ease the learning process for international students, the universities are introducing classes in English medium, which will help in a smooth transition to the French educational system. Earlier this year, France announced that Indian students pursuing their Master’s studies will be granted a five-year validity short-stay visa.
The French Institute in India, in partnership with Delhi government schools, launched the ‘French for All’ campaign in 2021, giving French language training. This was the first time that foreign language training was made available in public schools, providing children with the same educational chances as those in private institutions. The programme has been an enormous success, with over 3,000 students already enrolled in these classes. According to the statement, the initiative was just inaugurated in Telangana, with intentions to expand to other regions in the future.
