British universities invited to join the University of Paris Seine international campus

At a time when Brexit brings uncertainty over the academic relations between British higher education institutions and their European partners, the Community of Universities and Establishments (ComUE) of the University Paris Seine today launches a call for expression of interest to British universities. The invitation offers the opportunity for higher education institutions in the UK to participate in the establishment of the future University of Paris Seine International Campus within the framework of an academic and scientific partnership.

The call for expression of interest launched today by the University of Paris Seine is addressed to British institutions of higher education and research, private or public, which would like to establish themselves in France.

“British universities today seek to preserve the relations built with their partners in Europe. It is for this reason that we have chosen to act very concretely in order to offer them the possibility to pursue their development alongside us.” explains Jean-Michel Blanquer, Dean and President of ESSEC Business School.

Located 35 minutes from Paris and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport, close to the Vexin natural reserve and the lakes of Ile de France, Cergy-Pontoise is home to 15 academic institutions, 35,000 students and 600 teachers and researchers.

“Together with local and regional authorities, the University of Paris Seine is developing an international campus on the banks of the Oise, which will offer exceptional working and living conditions for research, education and the development of partnerships with economic players.” highlights Anne Sophie Barthez, President of the University of Paris Seine.

With this call for expression of interest, the University of Paris Seine proposes to reserve exceptional facilities and services for British universities on the site of the future international campus: the objective will be to develop high level research and teaching activities. Interested institutions are invited to submit proposals for partnership with research institutions and the economic stakeholders based in the Cergy-Pointoise area.

"Higher education can and must be an extraordinary ground for experimentation in order to develop the future of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European continent, a relationship built on openness, respect and trust." states François Germinet, President of the University of Cergy-Pontoise.

This call for expression of interest is supported by the Ile-de-France Region, the Val d'Oise Department and the Cergy-Pontoise Agglomeration Community. Open to British universities, this offer may, at a later date, be extended to higher education institutions in other European countries.

Institutions have until July 14 to express their interest and a phase of exchange on the submitted projects will then open. The objective is to disclose the names of the institutions selected at the beginning of 2018.

To access the call for expressions of interest
Read the press release