"FRANCE ALUMNI DAY": FIRST EDITION, FIRST SUCCESS!

All audiences

The "France Alumni Day" event, organized by Campus France and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, enjoyed enormous success during its first edition, held from May 13 to 28, 2023. With more 200 activities held in 77 countries around the globe, this event celebrated the excellence of the talented individuals trained in French institutes of higher education and all that unites them, including a long-lasting connection to France.

An exceptional evening at Quai d'Orsay

The Paris event, held at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, was attended by hundreds of international alumni, alumni associations and institutions. Opening speeches, especially that of Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, underscored the importance of the role of ambassador played by international graduates.

You are, in all your diversity, representatives of French academic excellence.
Olivier Becht

Inspiring speeches

Guests of honor, Professor Souleymane Bachir Diagne and Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, captivated the audience with their inspiring and heartfelt speeches reminding attendees of the importance of developing connections created during their academic and professional careers in France. Other alumni speakers passionately shared their personal experiences, underscoring the lasting impact of their time in France.

I followed in the footsteps of Léopold Sédar Senghor, an alumnus I know well who once said, "Measure the pride of being different against the joy of being as one".
Souleymane Bachir Diagne

1ère édition France Alumni Day

There's something about the French tradition that ensures that foreign students are well-received, well-supervised and well-supported.
Agnes Binagwaho

Events around the world

From May 13 to 28, over 200 events were organized by diplomatic posts in 77 countries, offering a variety of events reflecting the diversity and breadth of the France Alumni network around the globe. Of the events organized, 44 received grants as part of the call for projects launched in March 2023.

Here are just a few examples of the wide variety of events organized by diplomatic posts:

From podcasts to karaoke contests, masterclasses, debates, conferences, hackathons and fairs...find the entire program on the dedicated platform!

The first France Alumni Day was a success on all levels. The event strengthened connections between international graduates, promoted the excellence of French higher education and highlighted the achievements of alumni around the world. We're already looking forward to a 2nd edition in 2024!

©Damien Guillaume

Guests:

Mr. Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Professor of French and African philosophy at Columbia University, New York. Director of the Institute of African Studies (IAS). Doctorate, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne. Alumnus of ENS Ulm.
Ms. Agnes Binagwaho, Professor of Pediatrics. Winner of the 2022 L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. Former Minister of Health for Rwanda. Alumna of the Université de Bretagne Occidentale.
Ms. Nozomi Okabe, concert pianist. Japanese alumna of the École Normale de Musique de Paris.