Hayka: a rich study visit for the Madagascan delegation
From May 27 to 31, 2024, a Madagascan delegation visited the University of Montpellier as part of the Hayka project. This provided an opportunity for fruitful exchanges between directors of doctoral schools, Professors administrative and technical staff.
Comprising around thirty people, including doctoral school directors, administrative and technical staff, and Professors, a Madagascan delegation spent a week on a study visit to Montpellier. The aim was to discuss best practices and consider ways of improving the quality of doctoral training in Madagascar as part of the Hayka project. Welcomed by President Philippe Augé at the beginning of the week, the delegation was accompanied by Marc Bouvy, Hayka's educational and scientific coordinator, and Elliott Cholet, project manager, both based in Montpellier.
A total of nine doctoral schools located in Madagascar are involved in Hayka. Funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ program, coordinated by the University of Montpellier, and conducted in collaboration with six Madagascan universities, the University of Mons in Belgium, and the French Research Institute Research Sustainable Development (IRD), this collaborative program (2023-2025) aims to improve cross-disciplinary training and develop the employability of doctoral students in Madagascar.
Throughout the week, numerous conferences were held, notably on supervision and doctoral studies at the University of Montpellier, as well as round tables, visits to university sites and departments (Pôle Chimie Balard, DRI, doctoral college, DIPA, etc.) and laboratories (Lirmm). There were also individual meetings between colleagues from Montpellier and Madagascar. Beyond the Hayka project, this could contribute to future collaborations.