On October 10-11, 2024, Laurence Denié-Higney, Director of the UCLA Center of Excellence, attended the annual meeting of the Centers of Excellence, hosted this year at the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. This event gathered the directors of the Centers of Excellence, which are housed in major American universities and dedicated to fostering academic and cultural partnerships between the United States and France.
Thursday’s program included an important presentation by Mohamed Bouabdallah, Director of Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education in New York, and the Cultural Counselor of France in the United States. Mr. Bouabdallah shared insights into upcoming initiatives and outlined exciting prospects for the centers in 2025, reinforcing their shared mission of supporting cross-cultural exchange and academic excellence.
The evening concluded with a reception at the Residence de France, the official residence of the French Ambassador, offering an opportunity for networking and community-building among attendees and dignitaries.
On Friday, Dr Denié-Higney participated in a full day of strategic meetings focused on strengthening the partnership between the Centers of Excellence and the network of local Higher Education attachés. These discussions centered on developing innovative programs and expanding resources to advance academic and cultural initiatives across both nations.
