As traditional study-abroad routes grow costlier and more restrictive, global universities are recalibrating—and increasingly turning to India not just for talent, but as a destination in itself. In a significant shift, France’s KEDGE Business School has announced its entry into India, marking a new phase in international education delivery.

The move, unveiled during French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit, reflects a broader trend: institutions from the US, UK and Australia are deepening their India presence even as student mobility patterns evolve under pressure from visa curbs, rising tuition, and uncertain job markets.

For decades, Indian students looked westward for higher education. That equation is now changing.

Business schools like KEDGE are responding by bringing global programmes closer to home—embedding themselves within India’s expanding higher education ecosystem rather than expecting students to travel abroad.

Ranked in the 51–100 band globally by subject in QS rankings and among the top 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation, KEDGE is entering India through a partnership model—signalling a more collaborative, localised approach.

A new India–France education push

Education has emerged as a key pillar in India–France ties, with both countries aiming to increase the number of Indian students in France from around 10,000 to 30,000.

KEDGE’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Navailles framed the India move as both strategic and inevitable.

“India is fast moving—one of the fastest-moving countries in the world today,” he said, pointing to shifts in demographics and global education demand.

With student populations plateauing in parts of Europe, institutions are increasingly seeking growth beyond their borders.

Mumbai model: partnership over presence

Rather than launching a standalone campus, KEDGE has partnered with Vijaybhoomi University in Mumbai—an approach rooted in local collaboration.

The strategy reflects both pragmatism and adaptation: building credibility in a new market while leveraging existing academic infrastructure and faculty.

The partnership began with a four-year BBA programme, offering students a hybrid pathway—study in India initially, with the option to complete later years in France. Graduates can earn either a joint degree in India or complete their studies abroad.

The programme, launched last year, is set to expand in phases.

Future programmes and industry focus

From September 2026, KEDGE plans to roll out two Master of Science programmes, including one in supply chain management—an area thrust into the spotlight by recent global disruptions.

A second programme in sports management will follow, with an Executive MBA slated for 2027.

The focus reflects a broader shift in business education: companies now demand professionals who can navigate complex global systems, manage uncertainty, and respond to rapid technological change.

AI, adaptability and the new manager

Artificial intelligence is central to KEDGE’s academic vision.

The school is integrating AI not just as a subject, but as a tool embedded in learning—encouraging students to use it critically while maintaining human judgement and contextual understanding.

Employers, Navailles noted, are increasingly seeking managers who can operate across functions—marketing, finance, HR—while leveraging AI without losing the human edge.

A shifting global education map

KEDGE’s India entry is part of a wider pivot towards the Global South, where the school already runs programmes in China, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

It is also building partnerships with Indian institutions, including IIMs and private universities, alongside industry tie-ups aimed at improving employability outcomes.

As global education models evolve, one trend is clear: access, affordability and job readiness are now central to student decisions.

And increasingly, the world’s top classrooms are no longer abroad—they are arriving in India.