MBDA, the ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation and the Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE) have signed a sponsorship agreement setting up an Indian scholarship program in France.

Between 2014 and 2017, this program will contribute towards the financing of 24 students and young aeronautical professionals from India, enabling them to undertake Masters Studies at ISAE.

MBDA, an international group active in the Aeronautics and Space sector, specializes in the research, development and production of missiles and missile systems. MBDA is eager to develop direct cooperation with India’s aeronautical and defense industry. As a result, MBDA is keen to support the training of Indian engineers in this field, notably via advanced studies offered by ISAE in France.

The ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation is a state approved association whose main mission is to support the advancement of the national and international reputation of ISAE, to develop research and the international mobility of students, lecturers and researchers and to encourage social openness.

ISAE is a higher educational institution located in Toulouse (southern France) established following the merger of two colleges (SUPAERO founded in 1909 and ENSICA founded in 1945). It offers 22 Masters and Specialized Masters programs of the highest international standard. Each year, ISAE welcomes foreign students, particularly those from India and is therefore keen to develop its profile in India.

As of the 2014 academic year, this Program will offer advantageous scholarships to 24 Indian students (eight students over three successive study programs) thereby advancing their education in the aeronautics field. These scholarships will cover course fees as well as contributing to the living expenses of the students involved.

Olivier Zarrouati, President of the ISAE-SUPAERO Foundation and CEO of Zodiac Aerospace said: “I am very pleased by the signing of the agreement establishing this new Program which paves the way for a new model in the relationship that ISAE would like to develop with the aerospace industry. After the creation of a Chair heading Innovation Management in 2011 and of another, set up this year, in the aircraft design field, the Foundation is now supporting the Institute as it strives to strengthen its links with India. This aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s new development dynamic to benefit the ISAE”

Olivier Fourure, General Director of ISAE said: “Since 2007, the development of ISAE Masters courses given in English has resulted in the Institute having a very high visibility amongst Indian universities and students of aeronautics and space. The “MBDA Program of Excellence for India at ISAE” will allow MBDA to benefit, as a major European partner of the Institute, from this reputation and at the same time help to attract some of the brightest of Indian students to ISAE”.

Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA added: “The development of strategic partnerships with certain major countries forms a key element of MBDA’s development strategy. Supporting the education in France of foreign students at the highest technical and technological levels will contribute very effectively to the implementation of this strategy aimed at firmly establishing MBDA in major countries like India who are keen to develop industrial centers of excellence with us”.