Sorbonne University in Sydney
Sorbonne University Strengthens Its International Connections
Sorbonne University President Jean Chambaz and Vice President of International Development Serge Fdida, traveled to Australia the week of October 28, 2019 to establish a new strategic partnership with the University of Sydney and participate in two international university summits.
The week began with the annual Sydney Summit, which brought together the 20 partners of the University of Sydney and some of Sorbonne University's partners such as the University of California at Davis and the University of Copenhagen.
For this edition, the conference focused on how universities can work together to advance the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
President Jean Chambaz participated in a session entitled "Partnering for Change", during which he introduced the 4EU+ alliance and discussed how international collaboration between universities can maximize strategic partnerships and leverage funding. Vice President Serge Fdida was invited to speak about the substantive work being done in the industrial sector, and more specifically about how to build win-win partnerships while having a positive impact on society.
Jean ChambazThe vision that we share on many issues with the University of Sydney confirms the usefulness of developing a strategic partnership on targeted issues.
Signing of a strategic partnership with the University of Sydney
The highlight of the trip was the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Vice-Chancellor Spence of the University of Sydney in the presence of H.E. Christophe Penot, French Ambassador to Australia. A joint workshop will be held in Sydney next March.
The Group of Eight, which brings together Australia's research-intensive universities, held its summit on artificial intelligence the same week. As President of Sorbonne University and President of LERU, Jean Chambaz was invited to give the opening speech. He then spoke about the development and impacts of AI in Europe and in France.
Jean Chambaz stated that "the exchanges with the Group of Eight [had] been an opportunity to highlight the role of research universities involved in the development of AI in Europe and Australia."