KUWAIT: Despite continuing flight cancellations and restrictions across Europe due to the Icelandic volcano eruption, the French Embassy in Kuwait announced yesterday that it is going ahead with its education fair scheduled for this Thursday (April 22). The decision was announced by Olivier Deseez, the French Embassy's Cultural and Education Councilor, at a press conference held at their embassy in Mansouriya yesterday. "Out of 20 participants, only five have cancelled their attendance, so, overall we s
till have 15 confirmed universities joining the education exhibition on Thursday," Deseez said.

The first event of its kind for the French Embassy in Kuwait, the education fair is due to be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Salwa from 9am-8pm. "The education fair will be divided into two phases; the first one will be meetings between representatives of French universities and Kuwait universities, while the second phase will be an open house for Kuwaiti students," he explained.

Deseez admitted that France had not been a customary destination for Kuwaiti students since many would prefer an English-speaking country rather than a Francophone one as their first choice for higher studies.

We would like to promote our education and develop links between Kuwaiti students and universities here. Language should never be a barrier since subjects are taught in English. Besides, we have the best universities compared to other EU countries and the lifestyle and the environment are incomparable," he enthused.

Deseez noted that France welcomes about 100 Kuwaiti students every year, most of them government-sponsored scholars. Most of the Kuwaiti students enter faculties of arts, business, architecture, literature, medicine, law and engineering, he revealed, adding, "We are happy that the education trend is changing, with many Kuwaitis now considering France as the best place for their education.

Asked about the procedures for student visa application, Deseez mentioned that the French educational authorities have made this easier for foreign students.

Interested students should first report personally at the French Embassy, where they'll be met by an academic attach� for a short interview and will have to fill in and sign a visa applicant form. After this, they must wait for two weeks for the visa to be processed after which the process is completed.

We used to give residency permit once they [the students] were in France," Deseez explained, "but we've now changed this policy so that we give the residency permits once they get their student visa.

Kuwait and France signed an education cooperation treaty back in the 1980s and have subsequently had outstanding cooperation in this field. Teachers and students exchanges are just two of the most active components of the treaty. - Kuwait Times