Welcome to Paris-Saclay: building a collective approach to welcoming international talent
In September, the GATE - Guichet d’Accueil des Talents Étrangers - partners come together to mark the start of a new season of international welcome and support. Since 2018, this annual event has highlighted the importance of this support and the collective commitment of local stakeholders to fostering a welcoming environment for international talent.
For the third consecutive year, the Orsay University Library welcomes representatives of Science Accueil, the Essonne Prefecture, Institut Polytechnique de Paris and Université Paris-Saclay, as co-pilots of the scheme, alongside representatives of CAF Essonne, CPAM Essonne, the Paris-Saclay urban community, CROUS and RATP, as partners.
A key event dedicated to welcoming international talent
On Tuesday 29 September, the inauguration at the University Library began with speeches from the GATE partners:
- Jean Bertsch, President of Science Accueil and former rector, opened the event as its long-standing host and the scheme’s longest-standing partner.
- Camille Galap, President of Université Paris-Saclay, then spoke as the representative of the institution that hosts GATE at the Orsay University Library.
- Anne-Sophie Elain, Sub-Prefect of Essonne and Attractiveness Adviser, also took part in the morning, highlighting the importance attached to welcoming international talent as part of the area’s attractiveness strategy.
- Hani Hamzeh, Director of the Graduate School at Institut Polytechnique de Paris, also took part in the event. Institut Polytechnique de Paris has been a GATE co-pilot since 2022.
The event continued with a visit to the GATE and the signing of the guest book, a symbolic moment in this annual inauguration.
Collective commitment in support of international talent
The scheme relies on the complementary expertise of numerous partners, all working towards a shared objective: making the settling-in process easier for international students, researchers and staff, and helping them find the information and contacts they need more easily.
Beyond its annual inauguration, GATE provides essential support for international newcomers in the Paris-Saclay area until 16 December.
From January onwards, researchers, teaching and research staff, PhD students and students can also benefit from individual appointments with partners, including the International and European Affairs Office and Science Accueil, to receive support with their administrative procedures and settling in France.
The start-of-year event is also an opportunity to reiterate a key point: a region’s attractiveness is also shaped by the quality of the welcome extended to those who come to study, work and contribute to its international profile.
The value of this support is also reflected in the experiences of students themselves:
“GATE Paris-Saclay provides exceptional support to international students. The team is friendly, professional and always available to help with administrative, social and university-related procedures. Thanks to their clear advice and personalised services, settling into life in France becomes much easier and more straightforward. Their support really makes a difference when starting student life in Paris-Saclay!”
To make an appointment, click here.
