A Historical Chapter Begins: NTU Launches Second Major in Modern Languages (French Track)

On 12 May 2026, the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University hosted His Excellency Mr. Stephen Marchisio, Ambassador of France to Singapore, at the launch of the Second Major in Modern Languages (French Track), an event organised by the French module of the Centre for Modern Languages (CML).

In attendance (from left to right): Dr. Jean Lee, SoH Assistant Chair for Communications and Community Engagement, Ms. Camille Bruni, Attaché for academic cooperation  at the French Embassy in Singapore, Mr. Sylvain Naulin, Counsellor for Culture, Education and Science, Professor Jacob Stegenga, SoH Acting Chair, H.E. Mr. Stephen Marchisio, Ambassador of France to Singapore, Professor Jon Wilson, CoHASS Dean, Ms. Estelle Bech, Senior Lecturer at NTU Centre for Modern Languages, Mr. Jean-François Ghesquière, Director of the NTU Centre for Modern Languages, and Dr. Ritu Jain, SoH Assistant Chair for Careers and Attachment.

Held at the Wee Cho Yaw Plaza Auditorium, the event marked a significant milestone in NTU’s continued commitment to global education and multilingual learning.

The French delegation comprised H.E. Mr. Stephen Marchisio, Ambassador of France to Singapore; Mr. Sylvain Naulin, Counsellor for Culture, Education and Science; and Ms. Camille Bruni, Attaché for academic cooperation at the French Embassy in Singapore.

Representing NTU were Professor Jon Wilson, Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Professor Jacob Stegenga, Acting Chair of the School of Humanities; Dr. Jean Lee, Assistant Chair for Communications and Community Engagement at the School of Humanities; Mr. Jean François Ghesquière, Director of the Centre for Modern Languages; and Ms. Estelle Bech, Senior Lecturer and French Language Coordinator at the Centre for Modern Languages. Dr. Ritu Jain, Assistant Chair for Careers and Attachment at the School of Humanities was the emcee for the event.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Professor Wilson, who reflected on the growth of language learning and international engagement at NTU. Professor Stegenga then introduced the new Second Major in Modern Languages (French Track), which will be offered by the Centre for Modern Languages to undergraduate students across the university.

Professor Wilson, Dean of CoHASS, and Professor Stegenga, Acting Chair of SoH.

In his address, H.E. Mr. Marchisio spoke about the enduring heritage and contemporary relevance of the French language and Francophone culture in the Asia-Pacific region.

“French is the fourth most-spoken language in the world, with around 400 million speakers across five continents. It is a language of growth and opportunities. It is an official or working language in many major international organisations, but it is also a language of science, entrepreneurship, engineering, and finance.” He applauded NTU for expanding the French Language programme and opening up more opportunities for students to learn French.

 

H.E. Mr Marchisio, Ambassador of France to Singapore, delivering an address at the launch ceremony of the Second Major in Modern Languages (French Track) at Nanyang Technological University on 12 May 2026.

The programme also featured a short dialogue session between NTU representatives and H.E. Mr Marchisio. Discussions explored France’s role as a hub for innovation, science and technology; opportunities for NTU students to study, intern and conduct research in France; and the importance of multilingual and intercultural education in preparing students for an increasingly interconnected and multipolar world.

The addresses were followed by presentations from French industry partners, who highlighted the professional opportunities available to students learning French in Singapore and the value of language acquisition in career development. 

The launch event concluded with a closing address by Professor Wilson, who thanked the Centre for Modern Languages, the French lecturers, guests and partners for their support in expanding language learning opportunities for NTU students.

About the Second Major in Modern Languages

The Second Major in Modern Languages, initiated and offered by the Centre for Modern Languages, trains students to achieve CEFR B1 Intermediate proficiency. It is designed for students who seek to combine linguistic mastery with deep cultural understanding, preparing them for careers in international business, diplomacy, and global academia. Read more: Link