International exchange day on sustainable development

Hosting a delegation of South African academics visiting the University of Montpellier.
École nationale supérieure de chimie de Montpellier, amphi Mousseron. By invitation only.

On Friday, July 1, the University of Montpellier welcomes a large delegation of South African academics (around 130 presidents, vice-presidents and vice-chancellors). The visit is part of the South African High Education & Research week in France, organized by the South African authorities and institutions and Campus France from June 27 to July 1, 2022.

Hosting this delegation at the University of Montpellier follows on from the New Africa-France Summit, organized by the French Presidency in October 2021, and responds to the conclusions calling for Montpellier's role as a hub and portal between European and African academic communities to be strengthened.

This welcome day is organized in conjunction with the French Embassy in South Africa and the partners in the I-SITE excellence program supported by the UM, including the research organizations more specifically involved in the partnership with South African universities (CNRS, IRD, CIRAD).

After a presentation to the South African guests on the role of the I-Site in the dynamics and programming of the Montpellier cluster's activities, three round-table discussions will take place, bringing together South African and French colleagues. The three round-table discussions will cover

• the importance of the links between the challenges of agriculture and food, health and the environment (Feed, Care, Protect) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals;
• partnerships to be strengthened between South African and French universities;
• the link with Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole and its Med-Vallée project, and the role of the University in regional development dynamics.

• Download program