Another partnership adds to French Renaissance on campus

Thursday, 17 May 2018

The University of Adelaide has celebrated French Day on Campus (Thursday 17 May) by signing another partnership with a French institution. It's the third partnership between the University and France this month.

The new agreement – with a leading French engineering educational institution, IMT Atlantique – has been signed at the University of Adelaide today in the presence of the Ambassador of France to Australia, His Excellency Mr Christophe Penot, and following a visit by the Hon. John Gardner, South Australian Minister for Education.

"Today's agreement with IMT Atlantique is a special way to celebrate French Day, and the latest in a series of long-term strategic collaborations between the University of Adelaide and French institutions and companies," says Professor Pascale Quester, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

"Our agreement with IMT Atlantique paves the way towards closer relationship on research, teaching, collaborative degree programs, student exchanges, and the further internationalisation of both of our universities.

"Collectively, our recent partnerships with French institutions and companies will impact on the educational experience of thousands of students at our University," Professor Quester says.

Today's signing with IMT Atlantique follows two other announcements this month:

• The establishment of a dual Master's degree in Marine Engineering between the University of Adelaide and French education institution ENSTA Bretagne. That announcement was made in the presence of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

• The joint announcement this week that the leading global French 3D design software company Dassault Systèmes will open its South Australian regional centre at the University of Adelaide, embedded in the University's flagship engineering teaching and research building.

Both announcements are part of the University's growing commitment to defence skills, education and research.

French Day on Campus

French Day on Campus is hosted by the University of Adelaide in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Australia and Alliance Française.

The day provides staff and students with the opportunity to engage with French institutions, to find out more about research and study options, engage with French industry and businesses located in Australia, and enjoy a cultural 'taste' of France.

Brittany delegation tours Waite campus

Earlier this week, a delegation from South Australia's sister state of Brittany, accompanied by representatives from the South Australian Government, toured the University's Waite campus. On Tuesday 15 May, the Brittany delegation met with senior University staff and toured the Plant Accelerator and winery.

This is the first high-level delegation to visit South Australia from Brittany since the sister state relationship was established last year. The purpose of the visit was to provide an overview of South Australia’s agricultural research capabilities and opportunities for collaboration.

Professor Quester says: "Our partnerships with ENSTA Bretagne and IMT Atlantique are outcomes of a University of Adelaide delegation to Brittany in June last year, prior to the sister state relationship starting.

"Both partners are members of the French engineering ecosystem that we were keen to collaborate with, directly contributing to defence skills for the South Australian submarine and shipbuilding programs."

eChallenge France

Meanwhile, in the past week the University of Adelaide has held yet another successful eChallenge France, with 20 teams from five French universities taking part in the Paris-based event.

The Australian eChallenge France is an entrepreneurship and innovation program delivered by the University of Adelaide, where participants learn to create, develop, assess and action their ideas. It provides all the tools, interaction opportunities and mentorship needed to cultivate entrepreneurial capacity.

Team Neuron, from the University of Technology Troyes, has won this year’s eChallenge France first prize. The team's controversial product proposal is a drug that aims to improve or boost cognitive function, and have a positive impact on mood, concentration and even creativity.

Other winning teams demonstrated the breadth of innovations that were developed this year. In second place, Bloomin’ from Ecole Centrale, Lyon, developed a natural air purification and essential oil diffuser especially for vehicles. In third place, Next Your Ex from EFAP, Paris, created a novel gift box designed to help a person get over their ex.

Two of the finalist teams from Ecole Centrale, Lyon, have just arrived in Adelaide to spend two months at the University's ThincLab, following their experience in eChallenge.

Global experience benefits graduates

"Industry and the workforce are increasingly globalised. Therefore, part of developing graduates of international distinction is the need to adapt to and learn from other cultures," Professor Quester says.

"Through our celebration of other cultures, and our global connectivity with other universities, business and industry, we are equipping our graduates to become global citizens."

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