Embassy of India

Antananarivo, Madagascar

Ambassador’s Remarks at the Education Fair- 2024

(15 March 2024)

President of the University of Antananarivo Prof. Mamy Raoul Ravelomanana,

Director General of Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research,

Director of TIES Global Services,

Managing Director of FAN Education Agency,

Representative of the Ministry of National Education of Madagascar, 

Representatives of Indian Universities,

Dear Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaste, Salama, Good Morning. It is my pleasure to join you all in this year’s “Study in India Education Fair in Madagascar” being organized by TIES Global Services and FAN Education Agency. I am glad to see the growing interest among the students of Madagascar in pursuing higher education in India. 

2. You might be aware that the world’s first residential university “Nalanda” had flourished in India for more than 800 years until the 12th century AD. At its peak, Nalanda University had 2000 teachers and 10000 students from across the world on its campus. It is heartening to note that this ancient university is once again welcoming foreign students since its revival by the Government of India in 2014 after a gap of 800 years. Today, India has one of the most robust education systems in the world, with more than 1100 universities, about 43,000 colleges and 1.5 million schools. India is not only the world’s most populous country but also among its youngest, with more than 800 million youth and 265 million students. 

3. Now, I would like to list the reasons for considering India as a preferred destination for higher education. These include, quality education at an affordable price, usage of English as medium of instruction, wide choice of academic courses, ease of obtaining student visas, vibrant and diverse culture of India as well as the warm hospitality of the Indian people. The fact that leading global technology companies like Google, Microsoft, Adobe, IBM etc are now led by alumni of Indian universities is a testament to the quality of higher education in India. I am happy to note that about 1000 officials and 150 students from Madagascar have so far availed ITEC training programs and ICCR scholarships for education in India. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage the students from Madagascar to consider applying for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Zanzibar Campus (Tanzania) of the famous Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

4. In conclusion, I would like to affirm that as a close partner and fellow developing country in the Indian Ocean Region, India stands ready to share its developmental experience and expertise as per the needs and requirements of Madagascar. I am confident that the students of Madagascar will greatly benefit from this “Study in India Education Fair”. I thank the representatives of TIES Global Services, FAN Education Agency and various Indian universities for organizing this Education Fair. I would like to assure that Embassy will work closely with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of National Education, University of Antananarivo and other relevant agencies in Madagascar to further enhance India- Madagascar cooperation in the field of education and capacity building. Thank you!

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