The Paris Saclay conurbation authority and Université Paris-Saclay strengthen their partnership
On Wednesday 11 October 2023, the Paris Saclay conurbation authority and Université Paris-Saclay signed a partnership agreement aimed at consolidating and uniting their strengths and skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s world.
Grégoire de Lasteyrie, President of the Paris Saclay conurbation authority, and Estelle Iacona, President of Université Paris-Saclay, signed a partnership agreement on Wednesday 11 October 2023, focused on five joint objectives to develop their collaboration and boost the area’s attractiveness.
Consolidating economic development to generate value and employment in the Paris Saclay area is one of the agreement’s top objectives. Joint actions aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship, particularly among students, seek to bring the corporate world closer to education, research and innovation. This includes the development of the IncubAlliance business incubator, the provision of spaces for start-ups, legal and technical support for project coordinators, the provision of facilities or networking opportunities in various formats, i.e., events, etc. In terms of employment, the university works alongside the Paris Saclay conurbation authority to promote its programmes and degrees which match the employment needs of local communities and areas. Together, they work to boost the development of jobs for students close to their place of study, allowing them to combine academic success and paid employment.
A second shared goal concerns the area’s green and social transition. The university has its own sustainable development charter, and the Paris Saclay conurbation authority has adopted the local 2019-2024 Climate Air & Energy Plan (PCAET), which includes 126 actions. Together, they strive to come together to find concrete and innovative solutions to the challenges the area faces.
Both partners also hope to reinforce the attractiveness of the urban area and campus life. They work together to welcome and host new students, PhD candidates and staff in the best possible conditions. This involves accommodation, in particular by improving access to existing offers via the Paris-Saclay accommodation office (Guichet Unique Paris-Saclay - GUPS) or via the online platform Casa, developed by the university. This also includes transport and mobility services for the university’s various institutes and faculties throughout the area, with an increased push towards innovative and green mobility solutions. Reinforcing charitable actions, access to student aid, healthcare and preventive health measures are all also part of the partnership agreement.
Université Paris-Saclay and the conurbation authority commit to strengthening their joint actions in providing access to knowledge and excellence, by developing scientific and cultural outreach actions, educational programmes and the social and civic engagement of students.
Last but not least, the two partners also aim to develop the area’s cultural and leisure opportunities by sharing their skills and resources. This includes preserving historical heritage, the area’s cultural, documentary, and sporting offer and European and international cooperation opportunities.