Influence of French higher education: a record delegation of nearly 1,000 representatives at the European EAIE fair in Toulouse

After a 15-year absence from French soil, the EAIE conference, the leading annual gathering of higher education professionals in Europe, is back in France, in     Toulouse, on September 17–20, 2024. Nearly 1,000 representatives of French higher education institutions —a record number— are present to meet their partners and counterparts from all over the world. Nearly 600 of them, from some sixty institutions, are brought together by Campus France at the France Pavilion (stand A27) to showcase the strengths of the French higher education offer under the banner of the "Rendez-vous en France, Skills and Friends for Life" communication campaign. An area dedicated to promoting the  Welcome to France Label and the Erasmus+ France agency is also planned.

In 2023–2024, 430,466 foreign students were enrolled in French higher education, representing an increase of 4.5% from the previous year (MESR/SIES figures – See our press release on figures for the start of the 2024 academic year).

Africa-France seminar: cooperation with Africa at the heart of French strategy 

As a prelude to the opening of the EAIE fair, Campus France, with the support of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, organized a day dedicated to strengthening cooperation between Africa and France. The seminar, which brought together 200 representatives from over 60 institutions from 18 African countries, focused on the internationalization strategy of African institutions, funding including that offered by the Erasmus+ agency, scientific Francophonie, and the development of research projects. This meeting is part of France's commitment to support African higher education.

Other workshops and seminars are also planned in parallel with the EAIE, at the initiative of Campus France. Among them, a meeting with Brazil, as part of the France-Brazil crossover season, and a workshop with Egypt, in preparation for future meetings on university cooperation and research. Finally, a seminar will be organized with the Netherlands, in connection with the two countries' joint roadmap. These initiatives aim to strengthen international collaboration in higher education and research.

Big 5 Memorandum of Understanding: a global commitment to higher education

The EAIE fair is also marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the world's five leading agencies promoting higher education: British Council (UK), Campus France, DAAD (Germany), IIE (USA), and Nuffic (Netherlands). This partnership aims to extend cooperation among institutions so as to strengthen and share knowledge in the field of higher education and research. Four key themes will be addressed: science diplomacy, managing higher education in the context of crisis, climate change and sustainable development goals, as well as short-term exchanges, including remote ones.

The Pink City and its region, more attractive than ever: more than 36,000 foreign students

Toulouse, France's fourth largest city, continues to attract a growing number of international students. In 2023-2024, the metropolis welcomed 18,100 foreign students, representing 16% of the total student community. This figure has risen by 18% in five years, in line with the national increase of 17% over the same period. Of these students, 67% are enrolled in university, 11% in engineering schools, and 11% in business schools. The most represented nationalities are Morocco, Spain, Algeria, Italy, and Tunisia.

The Occitanie region, meanwhile, ranks as the third-largest host region in France with 36,740 foreign students enrolled in 2023-2024, representing 9% of the national total. 15% of students enrolled in the region are international, and of these 72% attend university. The main nationalities present are Moroccan, Algerian, Spanish, Chinese, and Italian. In terms of geographical regions, 29% come from Europe, 28% from North Africa and the Middle East, 24% from Sub-Saharan Africa, 10% from Asia-Oceania, and 9% from the Americas.