On the occasion of the visit of H.E. Mr. Jawed Ashraf, Ambassador of India to France, ESSEC Business School reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its academic collaboration with India.
The Indian Ambassador to France visits ESSEC
26.11.2024
On Monday, November 25, 2024, ESSEC Business School had the honor of welcoming His Excellency Mr. Jawed Ashraf. This visit offered ESSEC students, faculty, and researchers a unique opportunity to engage with a leading figure in Indian diplomacy.
This high-profile event took place under the auspices of the newly established Centre for Geopolitics & Business. Professor Aurélien Colson, Academic Co-Director of the Centre, stated : “As a major economic power, India plays a key role in stabilizing international relations. Our students must fully understand this reality, and such a meeting greatly contributes to that awareness.”
The event commenced with an address by the Ambassador, followed by a roundtable discussion led by Philippe Le Corre, Professor of Geopolitics and an expert on Asia. Jean-Marc Fenet, former Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at the French Embassy in India and Senior Fellow at ESSEC IRENE, also participated in the discussion. The dialogue focused on current geopolitical and economic challenges in Asia, while exploring opportunities for higher education collaboration.
This visit aligns with ESSEC's strategic ambition to deepen its presence in India, a nation with a burgeoning student population. Currently, Indian students make up 16% of ESSEC’s international student body, making India the third most represented nationality at the school. ESSEC aims to intensify its recruitment efforts in India, a country with over 1,000 universities and one of the world’s largest higher education markets.
In October 2024, a delegation led by Vincenzo Vinzi, Dean and President of ESSEC, traveled to Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi. These visits strengthened ties with key players in India’s economy and education sectors, paving the way for future collaborations. For years, ESSEC has collaborated with the Bangalore Institute of Management, hosting French students annually and welcoming Indian students to France in return. These exchange programs foster mutual understanding and equip future leaders to thrive in a globalized environment.
Pauline, an ESSEC exchange student in Bangalore, shared her experience: “I discovered a unique approach here, where courses combine traditional disciplines with meditation for entrepreneurs. This experience has taught me to put things into perspective, manage stress, and approach business with a fresh perspective.”
