A collaborative platform for doctoral students around the world
To contribute to efforts aimed at feeding, caring for, and protecting people and the planet, two world-class institutions— the University of Montpellier and the University of Pretoria (South Africa)—have joined forces on a project to create a global collaborative doctoral training platform called “Feed, Protect, Care.” The initiative was officially launched as part of Africa Week on May 23, 2023, at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa Center.
To address today’s global challenges, as outlined in frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the University of Montpellier and the University of Pretoria are focusing on providing better training for the scientists of tomorrow. With this in mind, they are launching a collaborative doctoral training platform bringing together more than fifteen other higher education institutions from 12 countries across five continents. Their goal is to create a global community of young researchers specializing in sustainability and to offer them opportunities to internationalize their training and develop lasting networks of expertise and influence.
On May 23, an inaugural meeting of the steering committee, chaired by Heide Hackmann (University of Pretoria) and Patrick Caron (University of Montpellier), marked the launch of this transformative, long-term initiative. Through these equitable global partnerships, the University of Montpellier is contributing to a more inclusive and collaborative approach to knowledge sharing and innovation.
Sustainable Food Systems
The first phase, covering the 2023–2024 and 2025–2026 academic years, will focus specifically on establishing sustainable food systems at the local and global levels. In this first cohort, 30 doctoral researchers from partner institutions will collaborate in an interdisciplinary manner to design and lead a transformation of food systems toward sustainable development. They will have the opportunity to participate in-person in events and will benefit from training and networking opportunities on cross-cutting issues at the intersection of science, policy, and society. Virtual events and ongoing exchanges via a dedicated digital research environment are also planned. Upon completion of their doctoral programs, these students will become members of the “nourish , protect, care” alumni network. The platform may expand to include new universities and other thematic areas during Phases II and III.
IDéES Project
At the University of Montpellier, the global doctoral platform “Feed, Protect, Care” is being implemented as part of the international component of the IDéES project, funded by France 2030 and managed by the Office for International Support and Attractiveness of Structural Programs within the Directorate of Structural Programs (DPS). The platform’s two scientific leads UM are: Karen Lambert-Cordillac, associate professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and UMR Phymedexp, and Patrick Caron, researcher at ART-DEV, Vice President of CGIAR, and director of the MAK’IT Institute.
By focusing on the themes of “feeding, healing, and protecting,” this platform fits perfectly into the scientific mission of our I-SITE program of excellence.
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