Ashoka University on Feb 18 announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with École normale supérieure – PSL (ENS-PSL), Paris, one of France’s most prestigious higher education and research institutions. The announcement was made at the High Level Academic and Scientific Meetings in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, marking an important step in strengthening India–France collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation.
The MoU was formally signed by Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR, and Frédéric Worms, Director, ENS-PSL. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, and global knowledge exchange between two leading institutions known integrating teaching and across disciplines.
Ashoka University’s Memorandum of Understanding with École normale supérieure – PSL establishes a deep, long-term partnership spanning joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative academic programmes in the sciences and humanities. This MoU will create shared research ecosystems, foster co-taught courses and workshops, and open opportunities for Ashoka students and scholars to engage with ENS–PSL’s renowned scientific community in Paris. Together, the two institutions aim to build a vibrant Indo-French intellectual corridor that advances fundamental science, interdisciplinary inquiry, and innovation with global impact.
K VijayRaghavan, Chair, Science Advisory Council, Ashoka University noted, “France and India are already closely linked in science through bilateral structures such as the Indo-French Centre for Applied Mathematics (IFCAM), DST–India programmes in digital science and technology, and joint initiatives in neuroscience and engineering. Most recently, both countries have expanded this cooperation through new initiatives in AI, health, and digital science, including plans for Indo-French centres for AI in health and digital science and technology under the 2026 Year of Innovation”.
For Ashoka University students, the partnership will play an important role in shaping research capabilities by providing access to advanced research networks, collaborative projects, and mentorship from internationally renowned scholars. The engagement is expected to strengthen Ashoka University students’ understanding of global techniques and methodologies used in research across multiple domains, thereby equipping them with better skills to carry deep research for better knowledge creation and innovation.
