On June 21, 2024, the Office of the Association of French Universities (France Universités) announced that its general assembly voted to approve USTH’s application for membership.
USTH is now an official member and will begin participating in the Association’s activities. France Universités was founded on February 24, 1971, under French government decree number 71-147. It gathers rectors and directors of French universities and engineering schools, and it serves as a forum for discussion, collaboration, and policy advice on higher education and research to the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Annually, France Universités holds a conference in late August for rectors and directors to discuss French governmental policies on higher education and research. In August 2023, USTH’s Principal Rector, Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, was invited to attend this conference as an observer. Impressed by USTH’s accomplishments over its 15-year development, the leaders of France Universités suggested that USTH consider joining the Association.
Becoming an official member of France Universités brings USTH closer to the French higher education and research community, opening up more opportunities for cooperation with universities and engineering schools not yet part of the USTH Consortium, established in 2009. It will also provide USTH students and lecturers with more prestigious destinations for academic exchanges and research. Additionally, USTH will be able to host more international students for study and research.
Before joining France Universités, during the 2023-2024 academic year, USTH had already welcomed over 70 students from French universities and engineering schools. The number of international students, particularly from France, coming to USTH for academic exchanges is expected to continue increasing in the coming years, contributing to the creation of an international standard training environment.
