International Bachelor: A Year of Immersion in Kochi for 18 Students

International
10 Mar 2026

Since the start of the 2025 academic year, 18 Icam students have been at Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology (RSET) in Kochi, completing their 4th year (O3) of the Icam International Bachelor program.

To mark the beginning of this program titled “DEBUT 2025,” an inaugural ceremony was held on November 12, attended by Dr. Jose Kurieath, Director of RSET, Reverend Father Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI, Principal, and Dr. Joel George Pullolil CMI.

Beyond the academic welcome, this day held special significance as RSET was commemorating Armistice Day. As part of this commemoration, Icam students delivered a meaningful presentation on the significance of this day, honoring the values of peace, remembrance, and solidarity, which resonate beyond borders. This day provided our students with a memorable moment.

International Bachelor Deployment at RSET

The presence of RSET’s highest authorities at this welcoming ceremony underscores the Indian institution’s strong commitment to international academic exchanges and support for foreign students.

The dynamic partnership between Icam and RSET has enabled the deployment of Icam’s International Bachelor at the Kochi site, with dedicated resources for its implementation to provide students with the best learning conditions. Since the 2023-24 academic year, ICAM students have been welcomed to this beautiful coastal city in the State of Kerala, experiencing a unique and meaningful international experience.
“It’s an opportunity to understand the engineering mindset internationally,” testified Léo, an Icam student from the Toulouse campus who went in 2024-2025. “To see how engineering is done in other countries, how problems are solved in a different environment.”
Léo’s full testimony by Studyrama can be found here.

Active Pedagogy

In Kochi, a pedagogical coordinator accompanies the students and facilitates the organization of activities, while teachers are fully involved in the delivery of the International Bachelor program.

They rely on active pedagogy, integrating the competency-based approach and the implementation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL).

The habitat project represents a major challenge for everyone, students and teachers alike. This flagship Low-Tech & IoT project combines technological innovation with social and environmental impact.

An example is the low-tech library called Le Colombier: the Garden Library, built on the Kochi campus: a sustainable outdoor space where anyone can come to read, work, or simply rest.

A Year Rich in Learning, Sharing, and Discovery

Throughout this year, students attend classes at RSET, participate in collaborative projects with their Indian peers, and also discover the cultural richness of Kerala.

Among the 18 students in the 2025-2026 cohort, Marie-Joyeuse Ampire Kabonjo, a student at ULC-Icam, left Kinshasa at the end of August: “It was with curiosity mixed with excitement that I embarked for Kochi to live an unforgettable academic year. At Rajagiri University, Mr. Alan and Mr. Biju welcomed me with hospitality that deeply touched me. They accompanied me to my residence and made sure everything went well—an attention that instantly dispelled the anxiety of being alone in an unfamiliar country.”

Her life in Kochi quickly organized around a balance between classes and personal projects.

“One of the most memorable experiences so far is undoubtedly my participation in the Kochi Lakeview Envirothon 2025, organized by Sacred Heart College in Thevara, under the motto ‘Run for Health – Lakes Our Wealth!’ The event, which combines sports and environmental commitment, aimed to raise awareness about preserving Kochi’s lakes and rivers, threatened by urbanization and pollution. For me, it was a real personal challenge. But with my classmates by my side, the collective momentum changed everything. Crossing the finish line with my finisher medal around my neck will remain one of my best memories of this year. An unexpected pride, and proof that the best surprises often come when you step out of your comfort zone.“