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Australian National University (ANU) and PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres), signed a strategic agreement in the presence of Jean-Marc Ayrault, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, as part of the joint French-Australian action plan on “science and innovation.”

The PSL delegation’s visit to Australia was marked with a major symposium on astronomy and astrophysics to celebrate the specialties of the two universities, including the Observatoire de Paris on the PSL side. The event was attended by Claude Catala, President of the Observatoire de Paris. Scientists presented their research on exoplanets and the origin of life, galactic archeology, and high angular resolution.

Brian Schmidt, Vice-Chancellor of ANU, believes that strengthening international university partnerships is essential to research in the fields of science, humanities, and technology.

Thierry Coulhon, President of PSL and former director of the Mathematical Sciences Institute at ANU (2012-2014), spoke in glowing terms about the dynamics created by the French Idex programs: “The agreement between PSL and ANU is a perfect illustration of the opportunities that recent changes to higher education and research in France offer in terms of international policies. Forming groups of French universities gives our institutions the size they need to sign large-scale partnerships, which allow for global scientific cooperation at the highest levels.”

Finally, PSL and the French embassy in Australia have signed an agreement that sets aside dedicated funding for student mobility between France and Australia, as well as for university and scientific cooperation.