The Pondicherry University (PU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), France, on research collaboration and exchange of faculty and students.
This follows a visit by an 8-member delegation from France led by Dr. Laurent Thevenet, Vice-President for International Affairs, and Joanna Belo, Director – International Affairs, UPEC.
Global standard
According to Pondicherry University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Gurmeet Singh, international cooperation played an important role in building a globally competent academic and research system in the University.
The PU-UPEC cooperation will further enhance the long-standing relationship between Puducherry and France, he added. Pointing to the expanding global footprint of Pondicherry University through several MOUs signed over the past year, Prof. Anjaneya Swamy, Dean – School of Management, said this presented a great prospect for students and faculty members to be associated with world-class institutions and gain exposure to global benchmarks and best practices in academia.
Quick agreement
Dr. Laurent Thevenet expressed delight at the speed with which this MoU could materialise from the first point of contact made only a few months ago. UPEC is one of the most comprehensive and inclusive universities in France, with an annual enrolment of about 30,000 students, including 3,000 international students, he said.
Prof. Chitra Sivasubramanian, Head – Department of Management Studies, pointed out that France is the third most preferred destination worldwide for international students.
Easier access
Through this MoU, France has become more accessible to the students of Pondicherry University, she added.
Prof. Victor Anandkumar, Department of Management Studies and MoU coordinator, expressed confidence that this collaboration would be made operational through exchange of MBA students from the academic year 2019-20.
The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by Prof. Balakrishnan, Director of Studies, Educational Innovations and Rural Reconstruction; Prof. Rajeev Jain, Director of Culture & Cultural Relations, Education; Dr. Sasi Kanta Dash, Registrar; A.K. Prakash, Finance Officer and K. Mahesh, Deputy Registrar.
