Agreement reached to launch “French Online” Project in Sudan(Islamabad, May 22, 2007)
Islamabad (PR) May 22, 2007:
The French Ambassador,
Regis de Belenet, termed the extension of French Online project to Sudan as a
good example of South-South Collaboration. He was speaking at the signing
ceremony of the project that took place at COMSATS Headquarters today, which was
participated by a decent gathering. An agreement to implement the French Online
Project in Sudan has now been reached between the Alliance Française, The
Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS),
and the Sudan Academy of Sciences (SAS). While
showing pleasure on the occasion, His Excellency Mr. Belenet, noted that the
project offers a comprehensive course to reach the level of official
certification by the Ministry of Education of France.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Hameed
Ahmed Khan, the Executive Director - COMSATS, stated that education is one of
the indispensable ingredients to man. He
further opined that learning French language is a must to gain all the knowledge
stored in it, as well as, for cultural exchange.
The Director - Alliance Française, Mr.
Matthieu Declercq gave a comprehensive presentation of the project, which
actually is a web resource that facilitates learning French without the support
of a tutor. He explained that French Online is a program designed to cover all
aspects of learning French language. Till date, 11 prestigious institutions have
signed agreements with Alliance Française in Pakistan to spread the language.
Talking about the launching of this project in
Sudan, His Excellency, Mr. Daffa Alla Elhag Ali Osman, Ambassador of Sudan to
Pakistan, said that we are living in a global world and knowing
language removes barriers. Also, while speaking on the occasion, he hoped that
the agreement will pave the way for alliance between civilizations. The Vice
Chancellor of Sudan Academy of Sciences, Professor Isam M. Abdel Magid Ahmed,
added that the project will enable the people of Sudan to learn French language
and the rich culture associated with it.
Alliance Française and COMSATS, together
initiated the French-Online Distance Learning Program some four years ago in
Pakistan. Since the time it was launched, this project is effectively benefiting the
communities in Pakistan. It is now, being extended to COMSATS’ member country
Sudan - and will be further extended in future in other member countries
of COMSATS. This project will be launched formally in a couple of months in
Sudan.”