RMIT et l’ENS Paris-Saclay nouent un nouveau partenariat pour faire progresser la recherche et l’innovation

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the Australian Embassy in Paris, builds on an established relationship between the two institutions and reflects a shared commitment to advancing research and innovation in areas including design, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Representatives from both institutions were joined by Australian Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Lynette Wood, for the signing ceremony, which brought together university leaders, researchers and innovation specialists from Australia and France.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration across research, innovation partnerships, doctoral education, and student and staff mobility. It is expected to support the development of joint research projects, co-tutelle PhD arrangements and new opportunities for researchers to work across both institutions.

Professor Alec Cameron, Vice-Chancellor and President, RMIT University, said: “This partnership builds on RMIT’s long-standing commitment to France and Europe, and our belief that lasting research impact comes from investing in people, networks and institutional relationships as much as individual projects. Together with ENS Paris-Saclay, we see significant opportunities to combine our strengths in areas such as design and artificial intelligence, particularly at the intersection of these disciplines.”

(L-R) Victoria's Commissioner to Europe, Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, Gönül Serbest; RMIT Vice-President Engagement, Michelle King; RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alec Cameron; Australian Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Lynette Wood; ENS Paris-Saclay President, Professor Nathalie Carrasco; RMIT Europe CEO, Dr Marta Fernandez; RMIT Europe Research Director, Design, Culture and Creative Practices, Associate Professor James Auger.

A key driver of the partnership is the appointment of Associate Professor James Auger as RMIT Europe's Research Director, Design, Culture and Creative Practices. An internationally recognised leader in speculative and critical design, Auger joins RMIT Europe following his tenure as Director of the Design Department at ENS Paris-Saclay and Co-Director of the Centre de Recherche en Design.

The partnership will enable Auger to maintain active research collaborations with ENS Paris-Saclay while helping to expand RMIT's research and industry engagement activities across Europe. It also provides RMIT with an ongoing research base at ENS Paris-Saclay, supporting future collaborative initiatives between the two organisations.

Professor Nathalie Carrasco, President, ENS Paris-Saclay, said: Associate Professor James Auger, Research Director, Design, Culture and Creative Practices, RMIT Europe, said: “Having worked closely with both institutions, I see tremendous potential in bringing their complementary strengths together. The partnership provides a foundation for long-term collaboration, creating opportunities for researchers and students to explore complex challenges through interdisciplinary and practice-based research.”

The partnership reinforces both institutions' commitment to advancing international research collaboration and supporting the next generation of researchers through shared expertise, mobility and innovation.