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Launch of the France Alumni UK network
17 October 2022
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On 10 October, the France Alumni United Kingdom network was officially launched in London!
The official launch of the France Alumni UK network took place at the French Residence in London on Monday 10 October 2022, in the presence of Gerrit van Rossum, Chargé d’Affaires at the French Embassy in the United Kingdom; Laurent Toulouse, Deputy Director of Higher Education and Research at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs; Donatienne Hissard, Director-General of Campus France; Archippus Sturrock and Clare Siviter, sponsors of the event.
Following speeches that recalled the importance for both countries of the creation of France Alumni United Kingdom and the personal stories of alumni on the contribution of their experience in France, the pianist Célimène Daudet, appointed “Franco British Young Leader in 2018”, offered a musical moment to the guests.
As a first part of this event, a photo exhibition was held at the French Institute in London. This exhibition was organised following a contest in which alumni shared their most beautiful photo taken during their stay in France.
A total of 25 alumni participated in the contest, and several prizes were awarded:
The jury prize was awarded to Jingyan Zhang for his photograph entitled “Pont des Arts, Paris, 2021”.
“When blessed by the snow, the city of Paris lost its colours and the sense of time.”
The “People’s Choice Award” went to Katie François for her photograph “First-hand experience of a student demonstration in France, Rennes, 1986”.
“Taken in Rennes in November 1986 during the student demos against the Devaquet reforms. The international students couldn’t access their classes on the Villejean campus so we joined the demo instead. A great introduction to France!”
Honourable mentions were awarded to:
Hannah Saint for her photo “Autumn in Paris, 2021”.
“I took this photo on a run in the 16th arrondissement in Paris. It was a beautiful, crisp Autumnal evening and the light from the golden sunset projected onto the elegant Haussmann building. A wonderful memory of my time in Paris!”
Iman Abdelgani for his photo “Chamechuade, Grenoble 2021”
“This is a photo from October 2021. I was on a hike with some friends I had recently made and this was one of my favourite photos I had taken. I hadn't been on many hikes before and this was a great start to my year abroad.”
A total of 80 participants attended the official launch, the first major event for the France Alumni community in the UK, which is already teeming with ideas and projects for the months to come.
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