The French Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Jean-Maurice Ripert, visited Lobachevsky University yesterday, September 10, where he learned more about the University’s plans and put forward his proposals to further cooperation.

The delegation, led by the French Ambassador, included Mr. Alexis Michel (Counselor for Science, Technology and Space of the French Embassy in Russia), Ms. Mireille Cheval (Coordinator of the Alliance Francaise in Russia) and Ms. Sophie Gent (Director of Alliance Francaise - Nizhny Novgorod).

“We are very pleased by the interest that our honoured guests show in Lobachevsky University. Our university is proud to be a partner of leading French universities: the Paris Institute of Political Sciences, the University of Rouen, Pierre Mendes-France University, Strasbourg University and the University of Poitiers. We are delighted to continue to develop and strengthen cooperation with France in education, science, innovation and public life,” – Rector Evgeny Chuprunov said in his welcoming speech.

The French Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Jean-Maurice Ripert, said: “Cooperation with Russia is very important for us. Our government welcomes the fact that more and more students, academics and scientists come to study and work on projects in France. We are for mobility and exchange of research staff, especially when it comes to cooperation with such a prestigious university as yours.”

The French Ambassador called on Lobachevsky University to join celebrations of the 50 year anniversary of scientific and cultural cooperation between Russia and France in 2016 and organize a number of events together.

While at the University, the French Ambassador discussed future cooperation between Lobachevsky University and the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in biotechnology and development of rehabilitation equipment. 

Vice-Rector for International Affairs of Lobachevsky University, Mr. Alexander Bedny told the ambassador about another university project designed to give students the opportunity to study on exchange at Lobachevsky University.

“We plan to begin the first academic programme in the field of international European law in French at our university. This programme can be an excellent platform for exchanges and inclusive education of students from France,” Alexander Bedny said.

In the 2014/2015 academic year, six students from France studied at the Faculty for International Students of Lobachevsky University. About 100 Russian students are studying French as a second foreign language at the Faculty of Philology and the Institute of International Relations and World History. The French Ambassador met students who had returned from the exchange in France.