New Higher Education Plans in France

Posted on 12 May 2014 Views ( 2556 )

President François Hollande told that he is having new plans in order to make the nation more attractive to International students. These plans include simplifying administration around visa processing and extending post-study work rights.

Last year the nation attracted more than 280,000 international students. Fioraso has said she want to see foreign enrolments climb to 15% by 2020 and 20% by 2025.

Hollande revealed that he is planning to introduce a “talent visa” which provides residence for 5,000 to 10,000 high skilled workers, researchers, and graduates.

Though, the qualification criteria have not been decided, it is clear that the government is taking strides to leave behind the unpopular “Circulaire du Mai 31” that was overturned last year by minister of the interior Manuel Valls.

The policy wants to put a full stop for immigration by curbing post-study work rights and by restricting companies looking for higher international students.

Last year, the u-turn also has facilitated to process the visas for students who are pursuing PhD and Masters, a framework that has now been extended to undergraduates. Students will no longer have to renew their visas annually but will be issued permits lasting the length of their course.

The reports for the surveys conducted by Campus France reveals that visas issuance is up 8% for the year 2013 and universities account for 78% of foreign enrolments.

Because of lingual and historical ties between France and the African Countries, the continent contributes highest number of International enrolments for France. Nearly 43% of International enrolments are from African nations like Nigeria, Algeria, and Morocco.

Fioraso said that the government is now aiming the nations like United States of America, India, Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, and Korea to broaden the recruitment base.

Both Europe and Asia accounts for about 24% of inbound mobility.

To attract more students, Fioraso said that though the French government will be targeting other countries, it will not harm African students anymore.

The further widening program to expand internationalization on French campuses has even committed €8 million of fund to develop MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) that will go toward the development of online vocational training, and video equipment for campuses as part of the ‘CréaMOOC’ project.