Advancing Indo-French Space Academic Cooperation

On 20 June 2025, IIST hosted H.E. Dr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, and a distinguished delegation from the French Embassy, CNES, and academic institutions.

* Discussions reaffirmed the strong India–France strategic partnership in space, science, and education.

* The Ambassador emphasized France’s goal of hosting 30,000 Indian students by 2030, with new PhD/postdoc fellowships, internships at CNES, and research mobility schemes.

* IIST expressed its full support, with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, highlighting readiness to collaborate in these new initiatives.

*ISAE-SUPAERO called IIST as a “strong academic and scientific partner” and welcomed student/faculty exchange.

Key Collaboration Areas Discussed

* Strengthening IIST-ISAE SUPAERO ties through greater student interaction and joining academic activities

* Expanding collaborations with French institutes throug CEFIPRA and CSRP seminars

* Joint development and launch of CubeSats and planetary payloads

* Establishing and enhancing labs in:

• human physiology & space human fectors
• microwave and sensor technology
• satellite data analysis and applications

Looking Head:

• New scholarships to boost student mobility
• Joint research in human thermoregulations for spaceflight
• Toward INFR Year of Innovation 2026

The visit marks another milestone in the long-standing Indo-French friendship in higher education and space science.