Seeking greater cooperation in education sector, France today said Indian students are most welcome there and that it wants to be a "privileged partner" in the growth that India is witnessing now.
"India and France share many things in common. Indian students are most welcome in France. But, we want highly specialised people, competent in specific areas," French Ambassador to India, Jerome Bonnafont, told a conference on 'Management and Professionalisation of Higher Education'.
"All areas are open. Nano-technology, medical research and nuclear science are among few of them. Now, there are 1,200 Indian students in France and we want to triple the number in a few years. For that we have modernised our visa system," he later told reporters.
Observing that higher education must focus more on humanitarian issues, the French diplomat said education system in countries like India is passing through a phase of elitist university system.
He said India should develop a university education system like the one existing in the developed countries.
Noting that common vision for the world and efforts in this line had made India and France close friends, he said his country wants to be a "privileged partner" in India's growth, including in the field of higher education.
The conference was organised by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIU) in collaboration with the Erasmus Mundus Association, India and the Indo-French Alumni Network.
Speaking on the occasion, GGSIU Vice-Chancellor D K Bandhopadhyay said emphasis should be given to value-based education and every body should be given access to higher studies.
