The Cities and Universities of Valenciennes and Mons Seeking to Strengthen their Collaboration
On 12th March, a delegation from Mons, accompanied by members of UMONS, went to Valenciennes to discuss the strengthening of collaborations between the two cities, as well as between the two local universities, for which solid partnerships already exist.
On Friday 12th March, the Rector of UMONS, Prof. Philippe Dubois, took part in a visit just across the border, in Valenciennes, in the company of Mr. Nicolas Martin, Mayor of Mons, and Mrs. Caroline Decamps, Director General of IDEA,.
The aim of this visit was to discuss the strengthening of collaborations between the two cities, as well as between their respective universities, for which solid partnerships already exist.
On the French side, the hosts of the day were Mr Laurent Degallaix, Mayor of the City of Valenciennes and President of the Communauté d’Agglomération de Valenciennes Métropole (which groups together 35 French municipalities) and Prof. Abdelhakim Artiba, President of the Université Polytechnique Hauts de France (UPHF).
After a first stop at the Institut des Mobilités et des Transports Durables (IMTD) (Institute of Sustainable Mobility and Transport – a showcase of tomorrow’s innovations initiated by the UPHF and the Association Technopôle du Valenciennois), the visit continued at the town hall.
This day, rich in exchanges, enabled the identification of areas where relations could be further developed between the French and Belgian territories. These evidently include the fields of higher education, research and innovation, as well as those of economic development, mobility and calls for European projects.
More specifically, for the two universities concerned, this trip was used to discuss existing and future joint research projects, as well as the respective contributions of the two institutions for the benefit of their regions and their populations.
UMONS and UPHF also discussed the EUNICE European project, in which they are also partners along with 5 other European institutions.
It was a great day, rich in contacts and with great prospective projects”, summarised Rector Philippe Dubois at the end of the meeting.
It was a wonderful reunion that will take us into a future full of projects and closer ties between our two territories and our two universities,” said Mr Artiba for the UPHF.
