On May 29, 2019, Mr. Gilles Pécout, Rector of the academic region of Île-de-France, Rector of the Academy of Paris, Chancellor of Paris Universities,together with Mr. Baptiste Léon, Deputy Director of the Rector’s Cabinet, academic region of Île-de-France,Mr. Laurent Pejoux, Academic representative for cultural actions, academic region of Île-de-France, Mr. Lazare Paupert, Division manager, academic delegate for cooperation and International and European relations, and Mr. David-Antoine Malinas, Attaché at the French Embassy in Japan, paid a courtesy visit to the Japan Association of National Universities(JANU) and exchanged ideas with us.

　In the exchange of ideas, JANU talked about exchanges between JANU and the French university organizations, in particular, discussions from the recent Japan-France symposium, and plans for an international exchange project by both organizations. Meanwhile, Mr. Pécout described and answered questions on the transition in higher education in France, the “Bienvenue en France” (Welcome to France) project, a policy launched by Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, and other matters. Afterward, we exchanged ideas on the current state of and challenges in higher education in both countries.

　JANU will work actively to expand future exchanges.