Start of the 2026–2027 academic year at the University of French Guiana: welcome events in Cayenne and Kourou

A new academic year focused on welcoming students and ensuring their success

The University of French Guiana is kicking off the 2026–2027 academic year at its Troubiran campus in Cayenne and its Bois-Chaudat campus in Kourou. Students are welcomed with a programme of information sessions, orientation activities, integration events and opportunities to meet teaching staff and key figures in university life.

The start of the 2026–2027 academic year at the University of French Guiana forms part of the institution’s ongoing development. Particular attention is being paid to supporting students and ensuring their success, to the quality of the courses on offer, and to strengthening links with local partners.

In Cayenne, 1,300 students are starting their first academic year

On Wednesday 2 September 2026, the University of French Guiana welcomed students to the Troubiran campus in Cayenne. Several groups of around 500 students visited in turn during the day, which was dedicated to welcoming them and introducing them to the university.

Of the students present, 1,300 are starting their first academic year. To help them settle in, the day began with an immersive video introducing the University of French Guiana.

This session gave new students the opportunity to find out about the services that will support them throughout their studies, as well as the academic structure and the teaching and research departments (DFRs).

The students then listened to a welcome address from the university’s governing body. The student vice-president also spoke, whilst former students shared their experiences. Finally, a guided tour of the campus gave them the opportunity to explore their new surroundings and get their bearings.

A student village to discover the services on offer and build connections

Student life played a prominent role during this orientation day. Set up right on campus, the «student village» featured several information stands dedicated to student societies, practical services and the University of French Guiana’s partners.

The PAVÉ teams had also organised a range of activities to encourage interaction and integration. The programme included drumming and dancing, a quiz on the University of French Guiana, board games, bingo and a ‘resolutions wall’.

Sports challenges were also organised, including climbing and basketball. Thanks to these activities, students were able to explore their university in a friendly atmosphere whilst getting to know their future classmates, contacts and partners.

«Learn, receive support, get involved»: three key areas for the year

The first day of the new academic year also featured a speech by Martine Sébéloué, acting director of the University of French Guiana. She structured her address around three key themes: learning, receiving support and getting involved.

«Learning» reflects the university’s primary mission: to impart knowledge, develop skills and foster critical thinking amongst students.

«Receiving support», meanwhile, highlights the importance of the support offered throughout students’ time at university. This support is provided by lecturers, the PAVÉ teams and all the University of French Guiana’s services.

Finally, «getting involved» encourages every student to take an active role in shaping their own academic journey, their university and, more broadly, their local community. Through these three priorities, the university’s leadership is therefore placing students at the heart of this new academic year.

Guillaume Gellé meets students on the Troubiran campus

Guillaume Gellé, Rector of French Guiana, was also present on the Troubiran campus to mark the start of the academic year. Alongside Martine Sébéloué, he met with students and staff at the University of French Guiana.

One of the highlights of the visit was the opportunity to speak with students on the new Master’s programme in «Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity». The rector and the acting administrator also met with the Erasmus students hosted in French Guiana.

This institutional presence was one of the highlights of the start of the academic year. It also demonstrates the importance attached to higher education and training in French Guiana.

In Kourou, around 200 students have been welcomed to the IUT

The start of the academic year continued at the Bois-Chaudat campus in Kourou with the IUT’s formal opening ceremony, held on Thursday 3 September. Around 200 students were welcomed during the morning, including 152 first-year students across all courses.

Teaching staff, representatives from the University of French Guiana, institutional partners and local business leaders were present to mark the start of the new academic year.

The IUT offers courses in five departments: Electrical Engineering and Industrial IT (GEII), Networks and Telecommunications (RT), Civil Engineering and Sustainable Construction (GCCD), Marketing Techniques (TC) and Social Care (CS).

New pupils then started the new term on 4 September. The day included, amongst other things, an introduction to the teaching staff and a maths test. Lessons are due to begin on 7 September.

Training programmes that evolve in line with the region’s needs

Since last year, two departments at the IUT have adapted their programmes to offer courses that are better suited to the needs of the French Guiana region.

The Department of Civil Engineering and Sustainable Construction now offers two specialisations: «Building Works» and «Civil Engineering». Meanwhile, the Department of Marketing Techniques is developing the specialisations «Digital Marketing, E-business and Entrepreneurship» and «Business Development and Customer Relationship Management».

This development is intended to enhance the professional development of students. It should also enable the IUT to better meet the skills needs expressed by businesses and local stakeholders.

Institutional and business partners rally in Kourou

The start of the new academic year at the IUT brought together numerous institutional and business partners. Their presence highlights the importance of the network that has developed around the Kourou campus and the commitment to strengthening local partnerships.

Among those present were Martine Sébéloué, interim administrator of the University of French Guiana; Philippe Bouba, 5th Deputy Vice-President for Higher Education and Research at the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana; and Michaël Rimane, mayor of Kourou.

Philippe Lier, Director of CNES and Chair of the Board of the Kourou University of Technology, was also present, as was Just, the student vice-president of the University of French Guiana.

Members of the IUT board and representatives from companies hosting students on work-study schemes also took part in the start of the academic year. These companies included, in particular, Arianegroup, Cegelec, EDF and IDEX.

Institutional partners also included Kourou Town Hall, the CCDS, the CTG and the CROUS. Various organisations, including Akatij and Guyane Connect, were also represented.

This initiative reflects the IUT’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with public, voluntary and business organisations in French Guiana. It also helps to align the courses with the region’s professional realities.

Supporting students and strengthening the collective spirit

For this new academic year, one of the IUT’s main objectives is to continue supporting students and helping them succeed, whilst maintaining a high standard of teaching.

The institution also wishes to strengthen the organisation and coordination of its teams. This initiative should enable it to meet students’ needs as effectively as possible, particularly in the area of student life.

In a region where higher education plays a key role in development, the IUT aims to continue its mission through a collective and committed approach. This is based on cooperation between the University of French Guiana, other institutions, associations and businesses.

Through its campuses in Cayenne and Kourou, the University of French Guiana is thus pursuing a common goal: to educate, support and empower students to build their future in line with the needs and challenges of French Guiana.

The start of the 2026–2027 academic year reaffirms the University of French Guiana’s commitment to supporting its students from their very first days in both Cayenne and Kourou. A warm welcome, academic success, student engagement, the development of study programmes and links with the local community form the backbone of this new academic year. With 1,300 new students in Cayenne and 152 first-year students at the IUT, the university continues to build on its momentum. Discover the services, study programmes and support schemes on offer to help you make a success of your academic year.