We want to be a gateway to Europe for Pakistan: French ambassador

A 21 member delegation of French universities is currently visiting Pakistan

The French ambassador to Pakistan, Martine Dorance has said that France wants to be a gateway for Pakistan to the rest of Europe, reported APP.

Dorance stated that France will welcome more students to receive their higher education in French universities.



“We will welcome more students from Pakistan in our country. We want to be a gateway to Europe for Pakistan,” said the ambassador, late Thursday, in her brief remarks at a reception she hosted for French Higher Education Week and to celebrate Francophonie Day.

Dorance stated that a 21 member delegation of French universities is currently in the country to visit universities in Islamabad as well as in Karachi and Lahore.

The basic objective of this visit is to establish and foster relations with Pakistani universities. They also aim to strengthen cooperation between Islamabad and Paris in the fields of academia and science.

The Chairman of the Higher Education (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed told APP that the visit of the delegation would help strengthen academic cooperation between both the countries. It would also provide both sides an opportunity to discuss various issues regarding higher education, he said.

Ahmed stated that 705 students from Pakistan have been sent to France on scholarships for higher education while 400 have already completed their PhDs from France.



Chairman HEC further stated that France and Pakistan are cooperating in the field of culture and an exhibition would be held in France next year, displaying pieces of archaeology.

The reception was attended by diplomats from different countries and the representatives of French universities.