Year 2026 to be observed as “India – France Year of Innovation” reiterates the Consul General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai.
The Consul General of France in Pondicherry and Chennai, Mr. Etienne ROLLAND – PIEGUE visited Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV), Deemed to be University, Pondicherry on 23rd April 2025. The Consul General interacted with the students of SBV who have enrolled for French classes at the Antenna of Alliance Francaise de Pondichery located at SBV campus. The Consul General expressed happiness at the progress being made by the Undergraduate students of SBV learning French, especially at a time when India is marching towards the centenary of its Independence which will happen in the year 2047 that would coincide with the fifty years of strategic partnership between France and India.
While interacting with the senior functionaries of SBV, Mr. Etienne ROLLAND – PIEGUE remarked that SBV has already created an impact by striking a pact with French Universities for bilateral cooperation. In addition, SBV has already made a mark by embracing values in the Indian Knowledge System through Yoga and Music in integrating the same with holistic evidence based modern medicine. During the course of interaction, SBV has expressed its desire to submit a comprehensive concept proposal that would comprise several niche areas including Sustainable Developmental Goals, Antimicrobial resistance as a global threat and the rapidly evolving domain of Artificial Intelligence, for probable collaboration with the French Higher Education Institutions. SBV has desired to hold one or two day conference on a unique theme at its premises during the “India – France Year of Innovation” in 2026.
SBV has volunteered to provide health services that are reliable and cost effective for the larger benefit of French nationals.
The Consul General was accompanied by Mr. Hugues Bioteau, the Scientific and Academic Attache in Chennai, Office of the Consul General of France in Chennai.
