“We are working to achieve 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030,” says French diplomat Gregor Trumel

Counsellor for Education, Science and Culture at the Embassy of France in India, Gregor Trumel, has highlighted the steady rise in the number of Indian students choosing France for higher education, noting a “17 percent jump in Indian enrolments” this year and reaffirming France’s strong commitment to deepening educational ties with India under the “Choose France” initiative, reports 24brussels.

During the Choose France Tour, which was held in Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, Trumel expressed satisfaction with the increasing numbers, stating, “I think it’s great news because France and India have such strong ties in the fields of business and diplomacy. I’m really happy that we are working to achieve 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030. It’s increasing very much. Two years ago, it was plus 25 percent; last year, plus 17 percent. We’re working very hard, and I’m really delighted that the Choose France Tour is having such great success.”

Trumel remarked on the growing participation of French universities in the initiative, noting, “We’re having 59 higher education institutions in universities. It was 50 last year, it was 42 two years ago, so we’re working very hard and now it pays—we have more and more Indian students going to France, and I would say most importantly, excellent students.” Currently, around 10,000 Indian students are in France, with a significant proportion enrolling in management and business programmes. “It’s interesting to say that 85 percent of Indian students going to France go to management and business schools, private schools,” he added.

The diplomat emphasized the expanding academic options available, stating, “We have plenty of opportunities for Indian students in many different skills and disciplines.” He pointed out growth in engineering, science, social sciences, and humanities, adding that the French higher education system offers 1,600 programmes in English to accommodate international students.

Encouraging Indian students to explore France, Trumel insisted, “Please come and visit us, and you will have some great advice, meet the universities and the schools. You’ll see plenty of opportunities in France for you. It’s a new world for you, you’re welcome.” He reiterated that India remains a priority for France, assuring there is no change in visa or education policy for Indian students.

“You know that India is a priority for us. The relationship, the ties between France and India are a true priority. There is no change in our policy. We are very eager to receive and host 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030,” he affirmed.

Trumel praised Indian students for their dedication and adaptability, stating, “They are studying very hard, hardworking students. They learn French very quickly. You come to France, you learn, you have an excellent education, you have a good time, you make friends, you learn French, you learn a new way of working, a new corporate culture, it’s very useful for you.”

Highlighting France’s educational strengths, he noted the country’s prestigious management and business schools, as well as its numerous Nobel Prize winners across various fields. “We have great schools in engineering, École Polytechnique, École Centrale, also in public universities. We are very strong in the fields of health, air and space which are very big with India and hospitality too,” Trumel said.

He emphasized France’s focus on innovation and emerging disciplines, urging students to take advantage of the opportunities presented during the Choose France Tour. “Please come to visit the Choose France Tour in the city, and you’ll see plenty of opportunities in these fields. It’s a new frontier, a new world for Indian students. You are absolutely welcome.”

Additionally, Trumel highlighted the global advantage of learning French, stating, “French language is not just France, it’s plenty of countries. Four hundred million people speak French all around the world, in North America, Africa, and Europe. It’s time to come.”

Encouraging Indian students to consider France seriously, he mentioned the presence of scholarships and employment prospects stemming from Indo-French collaboration. “We have 500 scholarships at the French Institutes for the best students who can apply for these. And when you come back to India, you have 1,000 French companies operating in India, providing 500,000 excellent jobs in aerospace, engineering, and health. It’s going to increase because the Indian-French relationship is skyrocketing,” he concluded.

Trumel urged students to seize the opportunities for their future education and careers in France, stating, “It’s a good time for you to go there. Come to the Choose French Schools and you’ll know everything to make your plans to come to France, study, and have a good career.”