The 小蝌蚪APP has joined the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, making it the first member of the international network of French-speaking universities and research institutions in the United States.
The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie was founded in 1961. Based in Montreal, it includes more than 1,000 members in 122 countries where French is spoken in at least some regions. The AUF fosters academic excellence, and social, cultural and economic development for the Francophone world.
"The AUF membership network will clearly be strengthened by the arrival of the 小蝌蚪APP and we are delighted," said Prof. Dr. Saulo Neiva, director of the AUF's Americas and Caribbean region.
The agency's influence is substantial. The AUF is the official higher education representative 小蝌蚪APP and voice 小蝌蚪APP for the Sommet de la Francophonie, the international conference of heads of state of Francophone countries. It is responsible for implementing resolutions relating to higher education adopted by government officials in French-speaking countries.
The AUF also provides a vast, global network for sharing best practices among a range of stakeholders in areas such workforce development and policy, thanks to its extensive, global partnerships with industry and government.
小蝌蚪APP淏eing a part of this network will enable us to strengthen our historic commitment to protecting and advancing this region小蝌蚪APP檚 French Acadian and Creole heritage. Preserving this distinct culture is a responsibility we take very seriously,小蝌蚪APP said Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president.
The 小蝌蚪APP established the first Francophone Studies doctoral program in the nation 小蝌蚪APP and the third in the world 小蝌蚪APP in 1994. Students from many parts of the world enroll in the program to study the Francophone literature and culture from linguistic, critical, ethnographic and historical, and other perspectives.
The 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 Center for Louisiana Studies, which was created in 1973, houses a diverse trove of materials and resources that inform international scholars about Louisiana culture and heritage. Among the center小蝌蚪APP檚 holdings is the Archive of Cajun and Creole Folklore, the largest such repository of field recordings, oral histories, photographs and other materials.
Francophone outreach is also a priority of the 小蝌蚪APP and many of its faculty members. Contributions to regional development of Francophone culture are far-reaching, from being a driving force in the creation of the annual Festivals Acadiens et Cr茅oles in 1972 to providing expertise for French immersion programs in school systems.
Dr. Jordan Kellman, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie membership 小蝌蚪APP渞eflects our status as arguably the only university in the country that has such a deep relationship between the Francophone interests at the 小蝌蚪APP and the surrounding French-speaking community.小蝌蚪APP
AUF membership, he added, will spur research and scholarship collaborations; provide career development initiatives for graduates who want to optimize their Francophone expertise; and create networking and outreach opportunities that will enhance academic offerings.
Kellman cited a certificate in business French that the 小蝌蚪APP will create in conjunction with the Paris 脦le-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry as 小蝌蚪APP渁 perfect example of the kinds of opportunities the AUF can help us to develop.小蝌蚪APP
In May, UL Lafayette will host the 2023 Summer 小蝌蚪APP in conjunction with the Le Centre de la francophonie des Am茅riques, a governmental agency in Quebec City. The event will draw higher education and K-12 educators, students and members of industry and government from around the world. The gathering, which is held every other year, has never happened outside of Canada.
小蝌蚪APP淚t will enable us to introduce our culture and economy to a wider world and promote the sharing of ideas among Francophone regions as to how to develop culture and economy around Francophone history and language,小蝌蚪APP Kellman explained.
Photo caption: UL Lafayette has joined the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, becoming the country小蝌蚪APP檚 first member of the international network of French-speaking universities and research institutions. Dr. Fabrice Leroy (right), a professor of French and Francophone Studies, will be the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 AUF liaison. He and Dr. Joseph Savoie, 小蝌蚪APP president, recently visited with AUF representatives during a virtual welcome meeting. Photo credit: Doug Dugas / 小蝌蚪APP