Students inclined to study social democracy, inclusiveness, and the crisis of climate change will choose France.

EDHEC Business School Partnering with Indian universities to introduce GIP continues its commitment to deliver future goals
France’s EDHEC Business School will soon launch EDHEC India, focusing on enhancing corporate ties, increasing academic cooperation with partners in India, fundraising, and research activities. Banking on the success of EDHEC America, founded in 2020 in Berkeley, California, it aimed to develop its academic activities, innovation entrepreneurship and collaboration with American universities. EDHEC India By the end of 2025 there will be a new strategic hub that will focus on building strong relationships with Indian universities and alumni networks. With about 900 Indian studentThe French school, which has campuses in Lille, Nice and Paris, plans to increase enrollment of engineering students in its MIM courses in AI.
In their recent visit to India, Emmanuel Metais, Director General/Dean, EDHEC and Richard Perrin, Associate Dean, International Relations, EDHEC Business School highlighted the need for closeness with the school’s alumni network to build strong business and academic collaboration in India. Presence in the Indian Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.
Hosting 40 exchange students from India with 12 exchange partners including IIMs, MDI, SPIJMR and IMS, EDHEC has introduced a new programme. Global impact projects (GIPs). GIPs offer students enrolled in a Master in Management (MiM) or BBA program an opportunity to prove their international experience by participating in projects related to social welfare, volunteering for NGOs and working on sustainability-related projects. “These experiences, intentionally focused on social cohesion initiatives and designed to open minds, transform students’ worldviews and develop their emotional intelligence and resilience. The GIP certificate will earn credit (30 CTSE for BBA students) or prove a summer internship in a pre-master’s will do,” says Perrin.
“Its aim is to make students understand the needs of the society and save resources. Apart from the curriculum, we need to train good leaders who learn to understand, to face the world Climate changeAnd have a good understanding of sustainability and CSR. These projects are inspiring students to handle projects like providing water access to villages or helping village children in their studies. Business leaders must learn to deal with challenges related to the climate crisis, geopolitical issues, war and poverty when formulating policies,” says Metias.
As France plans to welcome 20,000 Indian students by 2025 and 30,000 Indian students by 2030, the India-France roadmap is set to specifically aim at bilateral cooperation in research and higher education. Universities in France have been making effective use of APS visas, allowing students to stay back for up to two years to help students return and find jobs after completing their courses. Under a bilateral agreement signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, Indian students are offered a two-year extension visa.
“India is the fastest growing economy dominated by a young population. There has been an increase in business interaction between India and France, which has increased the demand for managers who understand the business culture of the European market. Indian students at EDHEC are taking up jobs and internships in Paris, Strasbourg and other business centers. ,” says Metais. A special five-year circulation visa for France and the Schengen area is offered to PhD and Master’s students who will support the research focus of Indian students. “This is a point of attraction for Indian students because study and work are relatively easy compared to the UK and US markets,” adds Richard Perrin.
Currently, about 8000–10,000 Indian students are in French universities, a figure that is comparatively less than the 331,602 Indian students in American universities (Open Door Report 2024). With the new Republican government planning to introduce some restrictive rules for students, Europe is appealing strongly.
“The US market could see big changes because (President-elect) Donald Trump could change the rules. During the election campaigns, Republicans talked openly about offering limited support to CSR activities, diversity and inclusion. The Trump administration’s emphasis on the climate crisis, social freedom and diversity Giving can close the budgets of universities,” says Metais. Compared to the US, European universities, particularly in France, have a strong focus on courses on climate change and finance, ESG and social democracy and other humanitarian issues, he adds.
The school has dedicated 40 million euros to establish the EDHEC-Risk Climate Impacts Institute which aims to study climate finance, and financial risks, and explore the impact of finance on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, adds Perrin.