Canada–France research exchange agreement signed during President Hollande’s visit

Ottawa, ON, Nov. 3, 2014 — Mitacs and Campus France signed a memorandum of understanding to promote research exchanges between Canada and France under Mitacs’ Globalink program. Mitacs is a Canadian not-for-profit research and training organization that works with all Canadian universities. Campus France is a public institution in charge of promoting higher education and research and incoming and outgoing international mobility in France.

Starting in 2015, the agreement will provide opportunities over four years for undergraduate and graduate students to pursue research projects in each other’s countries.

The signing took place at Rideau Hall following a working breakfast on education and innovation hosted by the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston with the President of the French Republic, François Hollande. In the presence of French Minister of National Education, Higher Education, and Research, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem; the MOU was signed by Rob Annan, interim CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs and Antoine Grassin, Director General of Campus France.

Through this program — which is co-funded by the Canadian and French governments — Mitacs and Campus France will promote the economic growth and prosperity of both countries through international cooperation. It is part of the Canada–France Action Plan, which aims to strengthen competitiveness and innovation.

Quotes:

Rob Annan, interim Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“The agreement with France will provide new opportunities for Canadian faculty and universities to benefit from students’ international perspectives, while demonstrating the breadth of Canadian research opportunities.”

Antoine Grassin, Director General, Campus France
”I am delighted to sign this agreement, which should help our two countries to increase our collaboration in the field of higher education and research and further consolidate ongoing cooperation.”

Mitacs quick facts:

• Since 2009, Mitacs has matched over 1,000 international senior undergraduates with Canadian faculty through its Globalink initiative.
• To further strengthen international research collaborations, Mitacs Globalink now offers two-way mobility opportunities between Canada and partner countries — China, Brazil, France, India, Mexico, Turkey, Tunisia, Vietnam — for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Within Canada, Mitacs has worked with 60 universities, over 6,000 companies, and federal and provincial governments, building partnerships that support industrial and social innovation.

Campus France quick facts:

• Campus France has more than 230 staff members in Paris and more than 300 throughout the world.
• More than 290 higher education institutions are associated with the Campus France Forum.
• Campus France has 208 offices/satellite offices in 114 countries.
• Campus France has 94 active agreements with foreign governments and institutions, involving 5,600 scholarship recipients.
• In 2013, Campus France organized 3,613 promotional events organized around the world, at their offices and French Embassies.

Learn more:

For information about Campus France, see www.campusfrance.org/en.

To learn about Mitacs, visit www.mitacs.ca/newsroom.