The Alliance Francaise du Bengale (AFB) will have a second campus in Sector V. The hub of French language and culture has so far been housed in Park Street but it will now have an address on the campus of Techno India University.
“On the eve of completing 85 years in Calcutta, this is our way to renew our connection with the city,” said Nicolas Facino, director of Alliance Francaise du Bengale, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Meghdut Roychowdhury, the chief innovation officer of the Techno India Group. The event took place in the Park Mansion office of AFB on August 29.
“Over the years, we have offered language courses at Techno India University, nurturing a growing community of learners eager to embrace the language, culture and opportunities that France has to offer. These students are not just learning a language; they are gaining a key to a world of possibilities, unlocking new avenues for education, exchange and global citizenship,” he said, highlighting how French-speaking candidates were solicited by Indian companies with markets in France as also French companies located in India.
Roychowdhury clarified that the courses would be open to all and not restricted to students of Techno India. “Love of France and French is not restricted to the old city. The city is evolving. We are proud to host the first annexe campus of Alliance Francaise du Bengale in a part of the city where there has never been a footprint of French language and culture,” he said, after speaking of his own connection with France through higher education and marriage.
French, he pointed out, was already offered as an elective subject under career advancement and skill development. “We are offering the subject since 2013, the very year after we opened. It is a credited course. So students earn marks for it.”
The Godrej Genesis building where French classes will take place
AFB will be given space not on the main campus in Sector V but nearby, on the 15th floor of Godrej Genesis building where Asmi Business School, run by the group, is also located.
Facino said that all the courses that are taught at Park Street would be taught here. “We run an online course at Institut de Chandernagore. There is a branch in Bhubaneswar and we are planning another in Guwahati. But so long we did not have a presence elsewhere in Calcutta.” The annexe campus would not have a library but students there would be able to use the library as well as attend events at the Park Street hub. “We also have a digital library,” he said.
The Salt Lake branch will have French guests from time to time as Facino promises adequate cultural activity at the upcoming branch. “This November, we will welcome the renowned French street artist Charles Foussard to Techno India University as part of the Wall Art Festival. His performance will not only bring a piece of France to Calcutta but also serve as a powerful reminder of the universal language of art,” he said.
Admissions to the new branch have started at the Park Street office and the date for the start of the session would be announced shortly.