The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Thales, a global major in aerospace, defence and security space, has announced a scheme to host and support highly qualified post-graduate students from India and China to pursue courses in engineering and business management in French universities and graduate schools. "Intake for the first year will be from India and China with 24 students entering the programme at the start of 2006-07 academic year," said a press release. The Ministry will help identify students, based on the established criteria. If needed the students would be offered free intensive French language training before leaving for France. They would be invited to follow an advanced specialised course in engineering science or business management at renowned French universities and Graduate schools, it added. Each student would receive a Thales Academia grant of at least 10,000 per annum, depending on the course length, in addition to the Foreign Ministry's benefits package.
