ANU strengthens education and research ties with France

The Australian National University has strengthened its education and research ties with France after hosting a high-level delegation from the French Ministry for Higher Education and Research and from key French research institutions.

The visit included the launch of a series of books on collaborative water and land research by ANU and French researchers at the ANU Centre for European Studies (ANUCES).

ANU has more than a dozen research and student exchange agreements with French institutions and France is one of the university's key partners for research collaboration. Since 2008, ANU researchers have co-authored more than 1,500 papers with colleagues from France.

The ANUCES also has strong engagement and research cooperation with France. In 2014, College of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Dean (International) and ANUCES Director, Professor Jacqueline Lo, was awarded the French honour Knight of the Order of Academic Palms for her research excellence in cultural studies, and service to French- Australian relations.

ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Margaret Harding said the University has expressed solidarity with the people of France following the extremist attacks in Paris on 13 November.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the French people at this difficult time," Professor Harding said.

"The delegation's visit to ANU was an opportunity to build on the strong ties between ANU and France, and to express the university's support for the people of France."

Pascal Fouillat, from the French Directorate General for Research and Innovation, said the ANU visit aimed to deepen already strong collaboration.

"Our mission is to pave the way for increased collaboration between our two countries," he said.