Chinese undergraduates will have more opportunities to study in more than 50 French engineering schools and programs for their Master's degrees starting next year.

The announcement was made at a ceremony in Beijing on Saturday by the "n+i" Network of French Engineering Institutes.

The network signed agreements with more than 20 Chinese universities and more than 20 French enterprises and regional authorities during the ceremony. Under the deals, the French firms and authorities will provide scholarships worth more than 1 million euros (US$1.2 million) to Chinese undergraduates to further their education in 53 engineering institutes and programs in more than 35 French cities.

"Each Chinese student enrolled by our network will receive a grant ranging from 24,000 to 30,000 euros (US$28,862 to US$36,077) for two years of study in one of our engineering schools and programs," said Jean-Pierre Trotignon, president of the network.

"When they complete their study, the students can not only get a French degree in engineering, but also gain internship opportunities with French enterprises which co-operate with us."

The "n+i" network is a non-profit association managed by Agence EduFrance under the auspices of the French Ministry of National Education and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said.

It links French engineering institutes with foreign universities, French and international companies, local and regional authorities in France, and other organizations to promote international training for engineers.

Trotignon said Chinese students can find information on the program on www.nplusi.com.

He said 66 Chinese studied in French schools in his network in 2003. "With the scholarships, I'm sure there will be more Chinese students studying in our schools next year."

Trotignon said the network will also help promote its Chinese partners' education programs to French students.

While the network co-operates mainly with French firms, it also welcomes the participation of Chinese enterprises.

"We expect to attract Chinese enterprises to join our program to help more Chinese students further their engineering education in France," he said.

(China Daily December 3, 2003)