A delegation from the Consulate General of France in Chicago visited Ohio State to cultivate and reinforce scientific and technological partnerships between France and the university. On November 4, the Office for Science and Technology attaché Jean-Paul Lallès and Benjamin Doreilh, deputy attaché, met with several faculty and leaders from key units to learn about Ohio State’s strengths and promote science and technology, initiate technological partnerships, and encourage exchanges of researchers. Meetings included discussions with the Office of Research, the Translational Data Analytics Institute, the Office of International Affairs (OIA), and Engie as well as the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
Lallès and Doreilh detailed French initiatives such as NETVA (New Technology Venture Accelerator), which provides young and innovative French startups personalized support, opportunity analysis and fosters the development of technological partnerships in the United States. Other noteworthy initiatives brought forth included the Young Enterprise Initiative, the Chateaubriand Fellowship Program and the French-American Doctoral Exchange Program – all of which work to share U.S. research and technology with French partners and build opportunities for student exchanges.
Moving forward, the delegation plans to share specific opportunities and initiatives with OIA’s Global Gateways and International Partnerships units so that relevant departments on campus can take full advantage of the consulate’s support to deepen existing relationships and build new ones. The university and the Office of Science and Technology are eager to collaborate and showcase the diverse ecosystem of the Midwest and improve the scientific relationship between France and the U.S.