Closing evening of the France Alumni Day event

The big closing evening of the FRANCE ALUMNI DAY event was held on May 15, 2024 at the Quai d'Orsay.

Marie-Liesse BIZARD (S 1996), vice-president of IESF and elected member of our Association's Board of Directors, represented us. Here she recounts the highlights of the various presentations:

Extracts from the speech by Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness, the French-speaking World and the French Abroad :

"I'm delighted to open this second World Alumni Day, and I'd like to thank the Minister for having made it possible to organize this event in the exceptional setting of the Quai d'Orsay;

Dear alumni,

Thank you for choosing France at a crucial time in your life. Today, 80% of alumni find a job within 3 months. For the past 3 years, France has had the best image for investors, and the best attractiveness, thanks in particular to its talents. France is ranked 4th in the studies of the world's heads of state (1/3 of them did part of their studies in France). Alumni and their backgrounds are the best proof of the excellence of French education.

The Minister has decided on a plan for alumni, including :

• a mentoring system will be created specifically for students arriving to study in France;
• visa facilitation for students studying in France, to boost the attractiveness of our country.

After all, these alumni are the driving force behind the excellence of French education.

We are all players in the French-speaking world, and we need to respond to the desire of many countries around the world to have more French speakers. The French-speaking world is a real professional network, and studying in France means being part of a community.

See you next year, it will be a great pleasure to see you there.

Round Table 1: "From French-trained talent to global careers: crossroads".

We need these talents and foreign alumni to help France shine abroad.

37% of doctoral students come from abroad.

After 10 years, 1/3 of foreign students who studied in France are still here.

Round Table 2: "France's alumni: openness and influence

A sustainable and diversified reach.

"Philippe Gautier, General Manager of MEDEF International.

"Our training system needs to adapt to change", Jean-Christophe Dumont, Head of the International Migration Division at the OECD's Directorate for Employment, Labor and Social Affairs.