Launch of France Alumni in Bangladesh

On 26^th November 2014, Laurent Fabius, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, and Geneviève FIORASO, French Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research, launched the francealumni.fr platform, the new social network for French former foreign students who have studied in France and for individuals linked with the francophone world.

On 31^st May 2016, the Embassy of France in Bangladesh launched this platform at the residence of France in presence of about 70 people including representatives from universities, Bangladeshi government, foreign embassies and French firms. The success of this gathering between the French companies in Bangladesh and francophone individuals shows the interest by the Bangladeshi community for studies in France and the will to maintain links with that country.

The welcoming note was presented by H.E. Sophie AUBERT, Ambassador of France in Bangladesh who highlighted the predominant role of the two French Alliances in Dhaka and Chittagong in teaching French culture and language. It was mentioned that digital francealumni.fr platform aims to allow many foreign alumni to stay in touch with France, its schools, its universities, its businesses and its cultural offer. They can interact with each other, access to training opportunities, scholarships, internships or jobs, stay informed about the French culture and tourism news. The new site also provides an opportunity for the global development of international companies and universities, as they will be able to initiate new partnerships, both economic or academic, through alumni.

In addition to the ambassador’s speech, two Alumni talked about their experiences with the Francophone world. First, the floor was left to Miss Marufa Ishaque, Master student of oceanography at Dhaka University who for the second year will do an internship in July 2016 under the tutelage of French scientists from the Indian Institute of Water in Bangalore and Goa (India). It is with emotion that she shared with us photos of her adventure.Then, the floor was given to Mr. Somen Dutta, a professor at the Alliance française de Dhaka and also employee into the economic department of the Embassy of France. Many guests recognized themselves in his video made for the occasion: going to France is to be confronting to a culture liked by the world, it is meeting the French population, get affordable rates to visit corners of the country and in Europe, and it is finally allow your taste buds to try the French cuisine. Georges Brassens, a French singer, said: "When we write songs, we do not need literature around." Francophone people know that in France everything ends with songs. To meet with the French tradition, the launch of France Alumni ended in song with the interpretation of "Jacques a dit (Jacques said), by the singer Rama Anta and her guitarist Jamie Mann. 

Now everyone to your keyboards: the Embassy of France in Bangladesh invites the Francophones to register themselves on this platform!  France Alumni Bangladesh: francealumni.fr