Emmanuel Macron announces special programme on French for Indian students

French President Emmanuel Macron announces the launch of a special program to learn French for Indian students before pursuing the degree of their choice. 

This decision came after he attended this year’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi as a chief guest. 

The objective of this program is to help India’s brightest high school graduates access France’s diverse and world-renowned educational institutions without relying on English-taught programs alone, the French Embassy in India said in a statement. 

Under this, regardless of whether you are a French language learner or a complete beginner, you can be admitted to French-taught undergraduate programs at French higher education institutions after completing a foundational year of immersive language training at that institution. 

This decision is seen as a great step towards strengthening India-France ties as PM Modi and President Macron have agreed to support the initiative of setting up international classes which will begin from September 2024. 

Macron also met some Indian students from Alliance Francaise de Jaipur, the French departments of Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University while visiting the Amber Fort in Jaipur. 

He expressed France’s intentions to open up more opportunities for Indian students, by initiatives such as International Classes, 5-year short-stay Schengen visa for alumni and also the fact that India is now the largest beneficiary of French academic scholarships.

He said, “ We want to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030” and also said that if the goal is met, “I would be the happiest President”.