Campus France and the Grand Est region team up for student mobility

On the occasion of Campus France’s annual colloquium on “Welcoming International Students,” held this year at ENA in Strasbourg, Jean Rottner, president of the Grand Est region, and Béatrice Khaiat, director-general of Campus France, signed a two-year partnership agreement (2019–21) having the following goals:

1. To advance international promotion of institutions of higher education and research located in the Grand Est region,
2. To increase student mobility. 

Strengths of the region

Grand Est is the only region of France that borders on four countries. Located in in the heart of Europe, it is open and firmly committed to exchange on the national, European, and global levels. Reflecting its remarkable appeal and potential for development, Grand Est maintains cooperative and collaborative arrangements in many areas, including research and higher education. In order to expand its international footprint, the region has made a commitment to student mobility using a variety of mechanisms (including study grants) and promotional activities.

A few indicative figures

• Of 206,000 students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in the Grand Est, 15% are international students.
• With 28,800 international students, Grand Est is the fourth-largest host region in France.
• 11,500 research scholars and scientists work in the region.
• They are based at 5 universities and more than 60 postsecondary schools of engineering, art, business, and architecture
• International students contribute €403 million to the region’s economy.

Goals of the partnership

The overarching goal is to increase the international influence and visibility of the Grand Est region in higher education and research by drawing on the expertise of Campus France. The major vectors of cooperation are:

1. An analysis of the international positioning of the region’s higher education and research assets,
2. A set of international promotional actions to help the region’s institutions leverage their educational strengths and derive maximum benefit from steps already taken by the region (support services, scholarships, etc.),
3. Development of an alumni network for international graduates of institutions in the region, drawing on the France Alumni platform and the worldwide networks of Campus France local offices and French diplomatic posts.

For several years, Campus France has been honing its expertise in the management of international student mobility (placement of scholarship students) and in supporting regional and municipal governments seeking to strengthen their footprint in international exchange.

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Cédric Chevalier, chairman of the Grand Est youth commission; Jean Rottner, president of the Grand Est region; Béatrice Khaiat, Campus France director general; Elsa Schalck, vice president of the Grand Est region; and Michel Deneken, president of the Univ

© Alexandre Nachbauer