April 28th, the evening was beaming with the radiant faces of the first batch of seven proud students at the residence of the Ambassador of France to India, François Richier. The first group of Indian students were awarded the MBDAISAE scholarship being part of a two-year master’s programme at the French university Institut Superieur de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE) situated in Toulouse, France, under the MBDA Programme of Excellence.

After completing the course, the students, five young men and two young women – will be awarded MSc in aerospace, mechanics and avionics. The students mostly holding an engineering background are from different academic institutions. “The applications are out in November, I am so enthusiastic about the course and I look forward to pursuing a career in research,” said Sachin, an erstwhile student of the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore. Navyakrisha from Hyderabad came to know about this programme from his senior, currently studying at ISAE. Upon receiving this scholarship award from Ambassador, Neelam chirped: “it is like a dream” and Deepali from Bangalore echoed.

During the reception Richier said: “Engineers contribute to nation’s technological and industrial progress. These bright young Indian students who have been chosen by MBDA and ISAE will do even more. They will play their part in preparing the future of the relationship of France and India.”

Loic Piedevache, MBDA country head India, said: “This scholarship programme, which will cover the tuition fees of the students concerned as well as contribute towards their housing, is just one of the many initiatives that MBDA is undertaking to establish itself as a trusted, long-term partner within India’s defence industry infrastructure. The French Embassy will support with free visas, medical coverage and access to student housing to the scholarship winners during their stay in France. Furthermore, the students will also be entitled, upon completion of their course, a five-year Schengen visa for themselves and their partners.”

The MBDA and the ISAE have signed a sponsorship agreement, setting up an Indian scholarship programme in France. Between 2014 and 2017, this programme will contribute towards the financing of 24 students and young aeronautical professionals from India, enabling them to undertake masters at ISAE.