For the first time, France in GHEDEX Muscat and Salalah

France was represented by the CFO (French-Omani Centre), by the Paris-Sorbonne Univeristy of Abu Dhabi (Mrs Iman Sherif, Headmistress), by the Campus France association (Mrs Sally Nosseir from the Cairo office) and by M. Ludovic Caillet, associate-professor at the Toulouse Institute for Enterprises Administration, University of Toulouse.

A high number of students attended this GHEDEX (Gulf Higher Education Exhibition) eighth edition, all very active and interested in the French higher education prospects. The French-Omani co-operation for higher education reached a further development with the visit earlier this month of a mission from the Ministry of Higher Education, exploring French universities all around the country. Moreover, the program from the University of Toulouse is actively engaged in exchange programs with the Faculty of Economy at Sultan Qaboos University.

Created in 1979, the CFO teaches French and welcomes more than 500 students each session (children and adults), in Muscat and in its Salalah and Sohar branches.

Open in October 2006, the Sorbonne University of Abu Dhabi is the first Paris-Sorbonne University's campus outside France. This French-speaking high-standards higher education centre is open to students from the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East and shows the importance of the relations between France and the United Arab Emirates as well as the other countries from the region.

The Campus France Association specialises in promoting French studies abroad. It gathers useful information for students willing to go to France and helps them choose the appropriate course of study or contact the French institutions. On Tuesday, April 17th 2007, Mrs Sally Nosseir gave a lecture on the organisation of studies in France.

French universities are very popular amongst foreign students as standards are high. French higher education has a long tradition of openness and accessibility. No distinction is made between French and international students :the requirements for admission are the same, as are the degrees awarded. For French and international students alike, the government subsidises a very large part of the cost of instruction in France's universities and other public institutions.