22 April 2009: Gulf News
Manama: France is mulling the establishment of a university in Bahrain to help promote French language and culture.
"We are planning to open a science and technology university in the near future. Bahrain's education minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi is visiting Paris at the end of this month to further discuss the matter with leading French education officials," Yves Oudin, France's ambassador in Bahrain said on Tuesday.
"Our two countries have already signed an accord for a joint committee to broaden and deepen cooperation in various areas, mainly education and culture," said the ambassador who has been posted in Manama since September 2008.
The move to set up the university will reinforce French efforts to strengthen its education and cultural presence in Bahrain and the region, which have traditionally kept close cultural and educational cooperation and linguistic ties with Britain. "We will next September formally start the French Studies Centre at the University of Bahrain and which was opened by French President Nicolas Sarkozy last September during his historic visit to Bahrain. The university centre will offer courses in French, but will also promote French culture," said Oudin.
"President Sarkzoy also raised during his meetings in Bahrain with education officials the possibility of offering mandatory French courses in all government schools."
French is currently taught as an optional course in some government high schools. According to the French diplomat, the French Studies Centre will stimulate Bahrain-based high school students to learn the language and to gain insights into the French culture and civilisation.
"We will provide high-quality training for the teachers and will help all those keen on learning the language. We do welcome students who want to study in France as we encourage mutual openness and understanding," he said. "We also have many members of the French community in Bahrain who want to learn Arabic as it is highly significant for them," said Oudin who speaks fluent Arabic.
Europe: Key part to play
France has recently been pushing for a stronger presence in the Arabian Gulf region. In 2005, then French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie called for a strategic co-operation between Europe and the Gulf.
"I am convinced that the time has come to go up a level in our cooperation. Regarding security issues, the Arabian Gulf seems like the private domain of the US. Europe could provide a very important contribution to the region because it is a heavyweight actor," she told the Manama Dialogue.
