Indo-French Cultural Exchange programme successfully concludes at MGIS

Ahmedabad: A two-week long Indo-French Cultural Exchange programme hosted by the Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS) based in Ahmedabad, came to a fruitful end on Friday. The students from MGIS along with those from Lycée International School Saint-Germain-en-Laye – one of the most prestigious schools of France participated in the exchange programme. During the conclusion ceremony held on Friday at MGIS, Shri Kirit Parmar, the Honourable Mayor of Ahmedabad was present as the chief guest; along with Mr Sami Bouakaze, Consul-Adjoint, Consulate General of France, Mumbai, Dr Sujay Mehta, Municipal School Board chairman and Deputy AO, Mr Parimal Patel.

The exchange programme is a catalyst that strengthens the bilateral ties between India and France through education and cultural exposure. As part of the programme, students get to stay in Ahmedabad and experience the life, culture and way of living here as a local and not as tourists, as they are put up with host families.

The programme is so designed that the French students are not limited to classroom teaching-learning alone but are rather taken to orphanages and evening street-side schools to be able to engage with different strata of the society here. The programme also focuses on promoting a better understanding of emerging India and its growth story. Students also visit several places of significance such as the Gandhi Ashram, the Adalaj Stepwell and also participate in the heritage walk in the walled city of Ahmedabad to be able to connect with the city’s rich culture, history and heritage and view it from a different lens.

Sami Bouakaze, Consul-Adjoint, Consulate General of France, Mumbai, was very appreciative of the warmth and camaraderie between the people of both countries and encouraged the teachers and students to continue this incredible intercultural exchange programme.

Shri Kirit Parmar, Honourable Mayor of Ahmedabad, appreciated the students’ performances and expressed hopes that the visiting students were able to get a detailed insight into the rich culture and heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Ahmedabad, during their stay here. On the other hand, visiting students expressed the joy of finding a second home in Ahmedabad as they forged lifelong friendships and bonds with their host families. They also shared how the exchange programmes helped them understand new perspectives.

The Indo-French Cultural Exchange programme which was instituted in 2008, is one of the longest running ones at a school level in Gujarat. Some 20 students from MGIS visited France in October for two weeks as part of the exchange programme whereas some 20 students and three teachers from Lycée International concluded their visit in Ahmedabad, as part of the 15th edition of the programme held during the academic year 2022-23.

The conclusion ceremony of the programme witnessed a series of theatre, music and dance performances including the classical and contemporary elements in four languages namely, Gujarati, Hindi, English and French.

About MGIS: The Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS) is a torchbearer of inclusive and progressive education. Established in 1998 in Ahmedabad, MGIS operates under a public private partnership (PPP) model between the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), the Municipal School Board and educationalists, Dr Pascal Chazot and Dr Anju Musafir Chazot. MGIS is student-centric and functions on democratic principles of self-governance. It has created a space for experiential learning through projects with real life links. The school integrates a Center for Action Research in Education and a Center for Teacher Training.