Dr Anju & Dr. Pascal Chazot Get Highest French Award by the French Government

In an illustrious ceremony held in Ahmedabad on February 29, 2024, the Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS) witnessed a proud moment as its director, Dr Anju Chazot, and founding trustee, Dr Pascal Chazot, were awarded the highest civilian honour by the Government of France. The Honourable Consul General of France in Mumbai, Mr Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, presented these prestigious awards at the Huteesing Visual Arts Centre, marking a significant recognition of their contributions to education and Indo-French relations.

Dr Anju Chazot was honoured with the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Knight in the Order of the Academic Palms), an accolade that highlights her distinguished services in academia, culture, and education. This order of knighthood, established by Napoleon in 1806, is the highest civilian honour the French Education Ministry can bestow. Dr Chazot’s work has significantly contributed to promoting Indo-French student exchanges, skill development programmes, and facilitating French business investments in Gujarat and India. Her achievements have been acknowledged not just by France but also through various Indian awards, including the SheRise award by FICCI and the Civil Society Award from the Election Commission of India.

On the other hand, Dr Pascal Chazot received the Médaille d’honneur des Affaires étrangères (President’s Medal) for bravery from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. With over 30 years dedicated to education and international cooperation, Dr Chazot has been instrumental in fostering a culture of Indo-French cultural exchange in Ahmedabad. His extensive experience and contributions to the field have been recognized previously, including his service during the attack in Mumbai, for which he was awarded the President’s Medal of Honour by the Government of France.

Mr Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet lauded the role of Dr Chazot and Dr Anju in strengthening the ties between India and France, especially in the education sector. Their efforts have been pivotal in enhancing people-to-people linkages and collaborations between the two countries.

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Consul General Jean-Marc Sere-Scarlet has expressed enthusiasm for increasing the number of Indian students in France, aiming for a target of 30,000 by 2030. This goal reflects the growing ties between India and France and the French President’s commitment to deepening investments in India. Currently, France hosts four lakh international students, with Indians making up just 7,000 of that number. The Consul General highlighted the importance of building a stronger Indian community in France to foster mutual growth and understanding.

Dr Anju Chazot, holding a doctorate in education from King’s College, London, and specializing in teacher training, is keen on promoting educational exchanges between India and France. She emphasized the opportunities arising from the bilateral agreements between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. Dr Chazot looks forward to a future rich with collaborative efforts in internships, volunteer work, and education, benefiting both countries in various sectors including business, technology, and educational practices. She expressed optimism for an increased French presence in Gujarat and vice versa, marking a promising era of Indo-French cooperation.

ScooNews congratulates Dr Anju Chazot and Dr Pascal Chazot on their remarkable achievements and takes pride in their participation as master trainers in the latest masterclass format event, The Rising Leaders Summit 2024, held in February at IIT Gandhinagar. Their work exemplifies the power of education in bridging cultures and fostering global understanding, embodying the spirit of excellence and innovation that ScooNews champions.

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