A new fruitful collaboration between the University of Montpellier, the University of French Polynesia, and SATT AxLR

[Press release] - Published on July 3, 2024 in Press Room

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the University of Montpellier, the University of French Polynesia (UPF), and SATT AxLR will strengthen their ties by signing a letter of agreement aimed at to strengthen the skills, research capabilities, and promotion of UPF projects through the presence of the University of Montpellier and SATT AxLR in the southern region. This agreement was signed by Nabila Gaertner, Vice President of the UPF Research Commission, Philippe Nérin, President of SATT, and Philippe Augé, President of UM.

A long-standing relationship between these universities

In 2020, a promising collaboration was initiated between the University of Montpellier and the University of French Polynesia under the leadership of Jacques Mercier and François Pierrot, vice presidents of UM, and Nabila Gaertner for UPF. This initiative aims to strengthen UPF's research skills and capabilities while consolidating UM's presence in the southern region.

Two framework agreements were signed to structure this cooperation, highlighting the importance of UM's support for UPF. Thanks to this partnership, UPF benefited from UM's support and that of SATT AxLR when it applied for the "Innovation Outre-Mer" call for expressions of interest, for which it was awarded the Nãhiti project (a project aimed at structuring the innovation ecosystem in French Polynesia).

This partnership allows UPF to benefit from the expertise of UM and SATT AxLR in detecting and analyzing innovation, as well as in communicating best practices and certain standard contracts. In addition, UM contributed as a member of the jury for the call for project funding (Polynnov) as part of the Nahiti project.

A signature with specific challenges

This agreement aims to facilitate investment by SATT AxLR, through the UM, in French Polynesia, by establishing clear operational, legal, and financial terms and conditions for these investments.

Expected benefits:

• For the UPF: access to funding for projects in the maturation phase, thereby increasing opportunities for technology transfer and the creation of value from innovations originating in its territory.
• For UM: strengthening academic and scientific ties with a region presenting research challenges that are particularly interesting for the PEI strategy (strategy towards the south).
• For SATT AxLR: an opportunity to promote innovations in key areas such as health, agronomy, and the environment, with a particular focus on societal issues in tropical regions.

Commitments:

UPF projects may be presented to SATT AxLR by UM, subject to joint ownership of intellectual property rights. A maturation agreement will be concluded, defining the contributions of each party and the terms and conditions for exploiting the results. SATT AxLR will have an exclusive exploitation mandate, with revenue sharing in accordance with the provisions of the UM-AxLR framework agreement.

This letter of agreement represents a crucial step toward sustaining and intensifying collaboration between UM, UPF, and SATT AxLR. It provides a clear and structured framework for supporting and promoting UPF innovations, thereby strengthening our strategic positioning and our academic and scientific partnerships.