Cooperation between the University of French Guiana and UFPA: research, training and student exchanges

A meeting in Cayenne during an international mission organised by the UFPA

On Saturday 29 August 2026, Martine Sébélouée, acting president of the University of French Guiana, accompanied by Olivier Tamarin, research officer, and Antoine Primerose, Director of AIBSI, welcomed Gilmar Pereira, President of the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), and his delegation to Cayenne. Organised around a working lunch, this meeting enabled the two institutions to discuss new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of research, training and international mobility.

This stopover in Cayenne was part of an institutional mission by the UFPA to Central and Southern Africa. The Brazilian delegation was travelling, in particular, to Cameroon and Mozambique. The stopover in French Guiana thus enabled the two universities to continue their exchanges and identify new areas of common interest.

The partnership between the University of French Guiana and UFPA focuses primarily on research, training and international mobility. The two institutions now wish to explore several areas of collaboration that could benefit students, researchers and academic staff.

Representatives from both universities come together to discuss new projects

Several UFPA officials were accompanying Gilmar Pereira. The delegation included Lise Tupiassu, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Doriedson Rodrigues, Chief of Staff, and Israël Hounsou, a researcher.

This meeting enabled the two institutions to take stock of their shared ambitions. It also served to launch new bilateral initiatives between French Guiana and Pará.

The UFPA has been awarded a research programme for which it has identified the UG as a strategic partner. This business lunch served as a forum to kick-start bilateral initiatives.

The University of French Guiana identified as a strategic research partner

Research was a key focus of the discussions. The UFPA has been awarded a research grant and has identified the University of French Guiana as a strategic partner in this context. It has therefore invited the university to take part in the project.

This collaboration could create new opportunities for the academic communities at both institutions. In particular, it could enable PhD students to be hosted and to participate. Lecturers and researchers could also take part in the joint research projects.

This momentum underlines the importance of research in the partnership between the University of French Guiana and UFPA. It should enable the two institutions to bring their teams closer together and develop joint projects addressing common challenges.

Joint supervision, dual degrees and CAPES Global are among the options discussed

The UFPA’s post also provides further details on the topics discussed in Cayenne. The discussions focused in particular on joint supervision and dual degrees. These schemes could strengthen the links between the courses offered by the two universities.

The representatives also discussed projects under CAPES Global. At this stage, the precise details of these projects have not been set out. However, this approach complements the opportunities for cooperation already identified in the fields of research and training.

Furthermore, the working paper mentions the possible creation of joint degree programmes. Master’s-level programmes could be introduced. The development of MOOCs is also among the options being considered.

These different formats would help to broaden the range of study options available to students. They could also facilitate exchanges between teaching and research staff at the two institutions.

Academic mobility at the heart of cooperation

International mobility is another key focus of the partnership. The discussions on 29 August confirmed the commitment to developing student exchanges between the University of French Guiana and UFPA.

These exchange programmes could involve not only students but also lecturers and researchers. They would thus complement the research, training, joint supervision and dual degree schemes discussed at the meeting.

For both institutions, this academic exchange is a practical way of bringing their academic communities closer together. It can also encourage the sharing of experiences and the development of joint projects between French Guiana and the Brazilian Amazon.

Bringing French Guiana and the Brazilian Amazon closer together

The UFPA presents this partnership as a concrete step towards bringing the Brazilian Amazon and French Guiana closer together. The two universities share a regional environment that opens up numerous opportunities for scientific and academic cooperation.

The discussions held in Cayenne therefore go beyond a single project. Research, joint training programmes, CAPES Global, joint supervision, dual degrees and academic mobility are a number of complementary measures designed to strengthen relations between the two institutions.

The UFPA also raised the prospect of hosting the presidency of the University of French Guiana at its own institution. This intention confirms the aim of continuing discussions beyond the meeting organised in Cayenne.

The next stop is in Brazil in October

Cooperation must now continue in Brazil. The UFPA has invited a delegation from the University of French Guiana to visit in October in order to make progress on the various avenues identified.

This forthcoming meeting will provide an opportunity to examine in more concrete terms how the proposed projects might be implemented. It will also give both universities the chance to clarify their priorities and the initiatives they might undertake together.

The discussions held on 29 August 2026 thus mark a new stage in relations between the University of French Guiana and UFPA. Over the coming months, the two institutions will be able to continue building this partnership around research, training and international mobility.

The meeting on 29 August 2026 in Cayenne has strengthened the prospects for cooperation between the University of French Guiana and UFPA. Research, CAPES Global, joint supervision, dual degrees, Master’s programmes, MOOCs and academic mobility are now among the areas being explored. A delegation from the University of French Guiana has also been invited to Brazil in October to continue the discussions. Follow the University of French Guiana’s news to find out about the next steps in this partnership with UFPA.