Pralhad Joshi Meets French Education Minister to Boost Student and Faculty Mobility
India and France explore stronger institutional partnerships, joint research, branch campuses and mutual recognition of academic qualifications.
NEW DELHI, Sep 28: Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held talks with French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste on Monday, with discussions focusing on deeper cooperation in education, research and innovation.
Baptiste is visiting India from September 28 to 30 as part of efforts to advance academic and scientific collaboration between the two countries.
Following the meeting, Joshi said the discussions covered measures to increase the movement of students and faculty between India and France, strengthen institutional partnerships and promote joint research initiatives.
The two ministers also reviewed the ongoing revision of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) Agreement. The arrangement is aimed at facilitating greater recognition of academic qualifications between the two countries and supporting international education opportunities.
Cooperation through existing programmes, including the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) and the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN), was also discussed. The Franco-Indian Campus in Life Sciences & Health featured among the areas identified for further collaboration.
Joshi said the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Nice was also part of the discussions. The ministers further considered ways to build on initiatives under Bharat Innovates 2026.
The Union minister said the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 provides an opportunity to deepen academic and research connections, encourage innovation and develop future-ready talent.
According to officials from the Ministry of Education, the meeting also covered opportunities to expand cooperation in higher education through institutional linkages, academic exchanges and collaborative programmes involving students, faculty members and researchers.
The two sides explored additional engagement in life sciences, social sciences and humanities, with an emphasis on institutional interaction, academic activities and research partnerships.
Discussions also focused on strengthening knowledge and innovation networks by building upon existing collaborations and identifying new areas for joint academic and research projects.
French higher education institutions were invited to consider establishing branch campuses in India, including in GIFT City in Gujarat and locations where French companies have a significant presence and need technically trained human resources.
The ministers also exchanged views on digital education and the use of technology to widen access to quality learning. They discussed sharing experiences and best practices in this area as part of broader efforts to modernise education systems.
The talks underline the expanding scope of India-France cooperation in higher education, research and innovation, with mobility, institutional collaboration and emerging academic partnerships forming key areas of engagement.
