Puducherry, May 20 :Pondicherry University (PU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Université Gustave Eiffel, France on May 13. A PU release on Friday said, the MoU paves the way for academic and research collaboration in the form of student exchange, faculty exchange and jointly organized events and research initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, PU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Gurmeet Singh underlined the historic ties between Puducherry and France, and how Pondicherry University serves as the National Resource Centre for French Studies. He opined that the collaboration with Université Gustave Eiffel will deliver very positive results, especially in the optimistic environment created by the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France. The President of Université Gustave Eiffel, Prof. Gilles Rousell recalled being part of the French Presidential delegation to India a few years ago and highlighted specific areas of collaboration wherein higher education institutions from both the countries have much to offer each other. Université Gustave Eiffel was formed by bringing together for the first time in France, the triptych of university, research organizations and schools with a particular aim to develop National and International collaborations to respond to the major societal challenges. It has 17,000 students spread over 10 campuses. The virtual MoU signing ceremony was attended by Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu, Director of Studies, Educational Innovations and Rural Reconstruction, Prof. Amaresh Samantaraya, Registrar who signed the MoU on behalf of Pondicherry University, among others.(UNI)