ECE Engineering School, a leading French institution renowned for its expertise in technological innovation, has signed a strategic academic partnership with Presidency University, one of Bengaluru’s top-tier private universities. This collaboration is designed to enhance student mobility, foster academic cooperation, and expand international opportunities for both students and faculty.
At the centre of this partnership are semester exchange programmes. They will give five Bachelor students from each institution the opportunity to study abroad and immerse themselves in a new academic and cultural setting every year. Indian students will benefit from ECE’s applied, innovation-oriented curriculum, which is closely connected to research and industry. Meanwhile, ECE students – the first of whom will arrive in Bengaluru this August – will experience Presidency University’s forward-looking academic environment and its diverse educational community.
In addition to semester exchanges, the agreement introduces the development of dual Masters degrees and pathway programmes in key disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Management, Technology and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, and Sustainable Energy.
While Dual Degrees enable students to earn qualifications from both institutions, the Pathway programme lets students from Presidency University to start their Masters studies in India and complete them in France, with academic credit recognition and aligned curricula easing the transition. For Indian students, these options are particularly appealing in the context of France’s favourable post-study work visa policies, which allow up to two years of professional experience in the country after graduation, combined with a high-quality education at a globally competitive cost.
“We are delighted to launch this collaboration with Presidency University,” said Ana Barbaric, Head of International Relations at ECE Engineering School. “International mobility is a core part of the ECE experience. All our students are required to spend at least one semester abroad, and we are proud to welcome students from our global partners to our campuses in France, contributing to a truly international learning environment.”
“This partnership with ECE Engineering School marks an important step in Presidency University’s international strategy,” said Dr. Sivperumal[Full Name], Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of International Relations Affairs at Presidency University. “It opens exciting new avenues for our students to experience global best practices in engineering and innovation, while also bringing international peers into our vibrant academic ecosystem. We believe such collaborations equip our students with the global perspective and cross-cultural skills essential for success in today’s interconnected world.”
This collaboration comes at a moment of expanding Indo-French educational ties. While some countries are tightening student visa regulations, France is actively encouraging Indian student mobility. The French government has set a national target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students by 2030. This reflects a shared commitment to academic exchange and mutual growth.
At the same time, India and France are increasingly aligned on global technological issues. Following the recent AI Action Summit co-chaired in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries are promoting a “third way” in artificial intelligence. This approach emphasises ethical, inclusive, and transparent development. While private Indo-French AI collaborations are still emerging, academic partnerships like the one between ECE Engineering School and Presidency University Bengaluru help lay the groundwork for a shared innovation ecosystem rooted in the public good.
