Western University will celebrate its academic partnerships with France next week during a two-day visit by the Ambassador of France to Canada Philippe Zeller, as well as delegations from Aix-Marseille University, the French Embassy and the French Consulate in Toronto.
On Monday, March 26th and Tuesday, March 27th, the French delegation will meet with a number of Western’s academic leaders, including President Amit Chakma and Provost & Vice-President (Academic) and Acting Vice-President (Research) Janice Deakin. These visits will also include tours of the Brain and Mind Institute and the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory.
“Western has a long history collaborating with researchers and institutions from France,” says Chakma. “It is a great honour to welcome Ambassador Zeller and the entire French delegation next week as we will be able to learn from our friends, as well as showcase many of the exceptional things we do here at Western to a highly influential, international audience.”
A highlight of the visit is a public lecture, presented by Ambassador Zeller on Tuesday, March 27th at 2 p.m. at The Great Hall, Somerville House. Presented by Western International, the lecture will focus on France’s diverse contributions to science over the past 200 years, including the groundbreaking work of Louis Pasteur and the rise of leading airline manufacturer Airbus.
This free lecture is followed by a performance of a scene from Jean Racine’s play Britannicus, which is based on the early years of the rise to power of the Roman Emperor Nero. Britannicus is directed by professor Marco Longtin of Western’s Department of French Studies.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Conyngham, Community Relations Specialist, 519-661-2111, ext. 85467
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