DBT Bureau
Pune, 28 Oct 2024
Paris School of Business (PSB) – a prestigious triple-accredited institution (AACSB, EFMD, AMBA), and a member of the esteemed “French Grande Ecole” (CGE), is expanding its footprint in India through a first-of-its-kind academic collaboration with upGrad Abroad – the study abroad division of skilling major upGrad.
This collaboration offers hybrid MBA and MSc programs, creating new opportunities for Indian students to pursue world-class business education from France. Designed with hybrid modality, these programs coalesce 4 months of online coursework with 12 months of on-campus education in Paris, providing a unique and flexible learning experience. Following this program, students will be entitled to the 2-year stay-back visa for job-search in France or the 5-year alumni visa.
MBA students at PSB benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that blends core business disciplines with digital tools, interactive business cases, and real-world project simulations. The program culminates in a consulting internship in France where students collaborate to solve real business challenges for French and European companies. This hands-on approach ensures that students are equipped with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s global business environment.
The MSc programs – designed to foster a global business perspective, offer courses in various disciplines such as financial markets, international trade, and supply chain management, Luxury & Fashion, International Finance, Marketing Analytics, are allowing students to deepen their expertisein specific areas pertinent to the French economy. In addition, the program features a curricular internship for 4 months, preparing students to navigate the French marketplace with industrial know-how and cultural nuances.
Commenting on the development, Rabih HADDAD, Ph.D – Director of Business Development and Dean of International Relations, Paris School of Business, said, “This is an exciting opportunity for us as we expand our presence in India with upGrad. The former French president, from 2007 to 2012, established a special residency card for Indian students who complete their Master’s in France, allowing them a five-year alumni visa. This flexibility enables them to return to India after their studies easily. Also, Indian students have advantages, such as language proficiency and adaptability, which make them successful in our programs, hence, from our current student’s intake of about 5%, we aim to increase that to 10% over the next three years, with a goal of enrolling 400 to 450 students from India each year.”
This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s mission to strengthen Indo-French relations and further democratize higher education. Through this strategic partnership, Indian students now have unprecedented access to top-tier business education, fostering greater academic exchange and economic cooperation between the two nations. Furthermore, upGrad Abroad is the exclusive enabler of these programs in India, supporting students on their path to earning degrees from one of the top-ranked business schools in Europe, accredited by the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research.
“This milestone reflects our commitment to making world-class higher education a reality for Indian households. With its rich legacy and impact, PSB is making a strong foray into the Indian market with highly sought-after programs, which we believe will support India’s ambition to accelerate talent mobility for global economies. Our goal is to provide opportunities to those who, due to time or financial constraints, are / were unable to pursue their dream education—this partnership opens that doorway at the perfect time,” concluded Ankur Nyati, President, upGrad Abroad.