French President Emmanuel Macron made a significant announcement during his State visit to India, unveiling the launch of Classes Internationales (international classes), a groundbreaking program aimed at Indian students aspiring to pursue higher education in France.

This initiative, as detailed in the Joint Statement signed by President Macron and Prime Minister Modi on January 26th, aims to facilitate Indian students' immersion in French language and academic methodologies at esteemed French universities before embarking on their chosen degree paths.

The Classes Internationales initiative seeks to empower India's brightest high school graduates by providing them access to France's prestigious educational landscape, which extends beyond English-taught programs (1700+, full catalog available here: https://taughtie.campusfrance.org/tiesearch/#/catalog). Whether students are already proficient in French or complete beginners, they can now enroll in French-taught undergraduate programs after completing a foundational year of immersive language training.

During his visit to Amber Fort, President Macron interacted with Indian students affiliated with Alliance Française de Jaipur, the French departments of Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, and alumni who had returned from France after completing their studies. Macron reiterated France's commitment to expanding opportunities for Indian students, citing initiatives like Classes Internationales, the provision of 5-year short-stay Schengen visas for alumni, and India's status as the largest recipient of French academic scholarships. He expressed his aspiration to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030, emphasizing that achieving this goal would bring him immense satisfaction.

Key features of the Classes Internationales program include its inclusivity, welcoming students of all French language proficiency levels based solely on academic merit. The program grants access to a diverse array of disciplines offered by renowned French higher education institutions, including universities, grandes écoles, and specialized schools. Participants benefit from immersion in French culture and language, engaging in student activities alongside their peers. Moreover, the program's academic focus ensures that language courses are tailored to students' chosen fields of study, supplemented by preparatory coursework.

Outstanding students stand to receive scholarships from the Embassy of France in India to support their educational endeavors in France, reaffirming India's position as the largest beneficiary of French scholarships.

Applications for the Classes Internationales program are open until March 31, 2024, and interested candidates can apply through www.classesinternationales.org.

This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering academic collaboration and cultural exchange between India and France, promising a bright future for Indian students seeking to broaden their horizons through international education.