France to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030

France is extending a warm welcome to Indian students, as stated by Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India. President Emmanuel Macron has expressed France’s readiness to host 30,000 Indian students in its higher education institutions by 2030. The French Ambassador also discussed recent measures regarding the five-year France short-stay Schengen visa. He emphasised that when an Indian student spends even a semester in France, it creates a lasting connection that should be nurtured.

As per the France news, Indian students with a Master’s degree or higher and at least one semester of study in France can avail of a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa in France starting this summer. This special provision aims to strengthen the ties between Indian alumni and their French counterparts. 

In an interview with IANS in New Delhi, Mathou addressed several questions, shedding light on French government policies. He highlighted that simplifying the visa application process is a top priority. The country is actively targeting students from multiple fields, with a particular emphasis on business and engineering programs. The strategic partnership between France and India spans various sectors and also extends to fields such as design and others.

To facilitate opportunities for students, representatives from 50 prominent universities, Grandes Ecoles, and colleges are offering information on a wide array of programs as per the France news. These include business and management, engineering, arts and design, public universities, hospitality and tourism, and French language schools. 

The France news highlights the strong interest among young people to study in France. The recent announcements regarding education and academic cooperation follow Prime Minister Modi’s visit, highlighting the strong ties between France and India. These ties encompass student mobility, research collaboration, and academic partnerships. These measures include the creation of international classes in universities for non-francophone (who do not have French as their first language) students and the establishment of over 600 partnerships between French and Indian universities.