Shanghai Daily News

The 2004 France Education Expo will be held in the city over the weekend as part of the "Year of France in China" program, the French Consulate General in Shanghai announced yesterday.

The education fair will give representatives from more than 150 French schools - including 50 comprehensive universities, 30 business schools and 25 engineering colleges, language schools or polytechnic institutions - a chance to meet face-to-face with Chinese students.

Officials from 12 French-invested companies in the city will also attend the fair to provide career information for students planning to study in France.

"Echoing President Chirac's visit and the 'Year of France in China,' we hope to strengthen the link with local universities as well as attracting more Chinese students to study in France," said Marc Lamy, French educational consul in Shanghai.

The fair is expected to attract about 15,000 local university students, making it the largest education fair that France has ever held overseas, consulate officials said.

Meanwhile, 35 students from the Marseille Business School and Jiao Tong University's joint financial MBA program also began their study in the city.

These students from nine different countries will be awarded an MBA degree at Marseille Business School and a Jiao Tong University graduation certificate after completing the 18-month part-time program, which costs each student 15,000 euros (US$19,190).

They are the second batch of students to enter the program. Last year, the program enrolled 22 students, mostly managers from large multinationals.