The Hindu : Karnataka News : France will come to Manipal

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Tuesday, Feb 12, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

France will come to Manipal

Staff Correspondent

Two-day festival from February 22

Manipal: Manipal University will play host to a unique two-day French festival, “France in Manipal”, here from February 22.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University Rajasekharan Warrier said that for two days the university-town would experience France right on its campus. The event had been initiated, designed and organised by the French Embassy in collaboration with Manipal University to showcase the multifaceted aspects of France.

“Culture, science and technology, business and higher education will be presented through cultural shows, counselling sessions, presentations and lectures. A French delegation will include experts in their respective fields,” he said.

France was increasingly becoming a popular destination for Indian students to pursue higher education. “France in Manipal” would allow students of the university to have a glimpse of what studying in France would offer them. Manipal was a natural choice as a platform for this event, he said.

“France in Manipal” would feature a French food festival, a rock concert, a quiz on France, a French film festival, lectures in science and technology, on campus recruitment, etc. “The event will serve as a network building exercise between the French Embassy and Manipal University,” Prof. Warrier said.

A French film festival would be held from February 18 to February 20. Entry would be restricted to students, faculty and staff of Manipal University. The French Ambassador in India might also attend the main festival. A delegation of 30 members from the French Embassy, including the Cultural Attaché and the Educational Attaché, would attend the festival.

Several leading corporations, including The Thales group, Altran Technologies, Accor Hotels and SOTC, have backed the event. The Thales group, sponsors of the science and technology talks, is scheduled to be represented by the India-head François Dupont.

Accor hotels, sponsors of the food festival, intend to come and meet with the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA) in Manipal, and study the possibilities of campus recruitment. Altran Technologies, making its foray into India, was keen on creating long-term ties with the Manipal University.

SOTC would market its products during the two-day event, Prof. Warrier said.

Education adviser of Campus France Vidya Suresh, chef Alian Andre, president of Manipal University T. Ramdas Pai, executive director R.S.P. Rao, registrar Vinod Bhat and deputy registrar T. Ranga Pai were present.

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