Impressed with development in Bihar, France today expressed its desire for greater engagement with the eastern state, particularly in education.
French Ambassador to India Francois Richier expressed the wish at a meeting with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here.
The ambassador, who had a half-an-hour meeting with the Kumar, said there was tremendous scope for cooperation in higher education.
He said French educational institutions would have an exchange programme at the student and faculty level. He identified such scopes in new Nalanda International University and National Institute of Technology (NIT), Patna.
The ambassador, who paid a visit to Nalanda today, said an MOU was signed between Nalanda International University and French Research school EFEO for educational exchange programmes of students and faculty members.
He said a similar pact would be inked between NIT, Patna and Engineering School of France tomorrow.
The ambassador envisioned greater engagement in environment science and social studies between institutions of Bihar and France.
Richier, who is on his maiden tour of Bihar for the past two days, said he has heard a lot of good things about Bihar and its leaders.
Praising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the ambassador said he found him as a "very positive man."
He said opportunities would also be explored for engagement in the field of primary education between France and Bihar too.
He also paid a visit to the world famous Buddhist site of Bodh Gaya yesterday and offered prayer there.
