Already having a cyber programme with the Toulouse University Network (TUN), France, for live classes, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, has submitted a proposal to the European Commission to hold such classes in Europe, India, France and Vietnam.

Currently, the programme — first of its kind in the world holding live classes across continents via satellite — is limited to a few subjects such as applied mathematics, cryptography and aerospace studies. Students on either side sit for the class at the same time and are taught by Indian and French professors in English medium.

The French Government has even honoured the Indian co-coordinator of the programme, Prof G Rangarajan, chairman of the Department of Mathematics, IISc. Rangarajan was awarded the “Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Palmes Academiques” (A Knight of the Order of Palms) by the French Government. This is one of the oldest civilian honours in the world having been instituted by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808.

“We (IISc and TUN) are the first ones in the world to have set up this facility. A lot of classes are held via video-conferencing like professors at MIT teaching students in Singapore, but that is one way. This is the first live classroom with two-way satellite facilities across continents,’’ said Rangarajan.

“We have received a very good response from students on either side as we can share the expertise on both sides and students can directly ask questions.’’

Started three years back, the project has been sponsored by the Human Resource Development Ministry. “We did face a few teething problems but now we use Intersat as many satellites do not have footprints in both India and France,’’ said Rangarajan. The course now has 10 students each in both countries and the classes are held here in the afternoon so that it is morning in France.

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