Université Côte d'Azur and its Fondation celebrate 60 years of excellence, innovation and collective commitment!

To mark the 60th anniversary of Université Côte d'Azur, the Fondation de l'Université brought together the region's key players - elus, institutional partners, economic and scientific players - to celebrate six decades of excellence, innovation and commitment to knowledge, research and community involvement.

Alongside Jeanick Brisswalter, President of the Université Côte d'Azur, and Mathieu Garotta, President of the Fondation Université Côte d'Azur, a number of VIPs honoured the event with their presence. Charles-Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d'Azur, Jérôme Viaud, Mayor of Grasse and President of the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Grasse, Jean Léonetti, Mayor of Antibes and President de la CASA, Lionel Beffre, Conseiller du Gouvernement Princier - Principauté de Monaco, Alexandra Borchio Fontimp, Sénatrice des Alpes-Maritimes and Patrick Amoussou-Adeblé, Secrétaire Général de la Préfecture des Alpes-Maritimes.

The elected representatives underlined the University's ability to create public and private partnerships, an essential condition for strong, sovereign national R&D.

Six immersive scientific pavilions on Université Côte d'Azur's fields of excellence

Guests were able to discover six immersive scientific pavilions and talk with professors and researchers who had come to present their work and research projects in :

Artificial intelligence - presented by Diana SEBBAR, Director of 3IA Côte d'Azur

Cultural and creative industries - presented by Jean-François TRUBERT, University Professor of Musicology, Director of the Centre de référence XR2C2 in Augmented Reality & President by delegation of the Campus des Métiers et Qualifications Industries Culturelles et Créatives Région Sud

Sustainable health - presented by Raphaël Zory; University Professor and Director of EUR Ecosystèmes des Sciences de la Santé

Flavors, fragrances and cosmetics - presented by Sylvain Antoniotti, CNRS Research Director and Director of the Institut d'Innovation et de Partenariats Arômes Parfums Cosmétiques and Vice-President of Université Côte d'Azur in charge of the Excellence Initiative

Innovative materials (electronics, photonics, quantum, biomedical)- presented by Philippe Boucaud, Director of the CRHEA-CNRS laboratory at Sophia Antipolis.

Intelligent territories and resilience - presented by Emmanuel Tric, University Professor of Geophysics and Director of the Institut méditerranéen du risque de l'environnement et du développement durable.

A central role in the region's economic, scientific and cultural appeal

These exchanges highlighted the central role played by Université Côte d'Azur in the region's economic, scientific and cultural appeal.

In his speech, Jeanick Brisswalter recalled:

"We deeply believe that research only has meaning if it meets society, that science only has value if it enlightens action, and that the university only has a future if it remains in contact with reality, with companies, communities and citizens.

This is what makes us unique: a humanist and committed university, committed to you, to our future, to the future of our students and our talents, combining academic excellence with social relevance.

Mathieu Garotta reaffirmed the Foundation's mission:

"We want to create lasting bridges between knowledge and action, between fundamental research and concrete needs in the field, because this openness is the key to a more resilient, more competitive, but also more humane economy. "

An inspiring round-table discussion, moderated by Isabelle Auzias, editor-in-chief of La Tribune Côte d'Azur, brought together exceptional speakers on the theme of "60 years of knowledge to imagine together 60 years of innovation":

• Jean-Luc Allavena, Chairman and Founder of Atlantys Investors and former Chairman of the HEC Foundation, reminded the audience that philanthropy is also a strategic investment for companies, just as it is for the public sector.for companies, in the same way as innovation or training, as it contributes directly to the attractiveness of the region and the emergence of new talent.
• Pierre Giordano, Deputy President of Amadeus, emphasized the extent to which strong R&D, connected to universities, is an essential lever for innovation and competitiveness on an international scale.
• Odile Fanton d'Andon, alumni and President of ACRI-ST, testified to the key role played by the university in the birth and growth of her company, asserting that strengthening synergies between researchers and companies means investing in a sustainable innovation engine at the service of the region.
• Finally,Franck Cannata, President of UPE06, recalled the pride he took in seeing the UPE06 delegation include two representatives of Université Côte d'Azur at the REF, a strong symbol of reinforced public-private dialogue.

The evening also paid tribute to the Foundation's fund-raising drive, driven by the generosity and commitment of its partners.

• Nice-based poster artist and Université Côte d'Azur alumnus Éric Garence unveiled an exclusive collection of nine posters illustrating the university's emblematic campuses - an artistic tribute to the region's creativity and influence.
• Thanks to David Ozararat, President France of SoftConstruct and qualified personality of the Foundation, and the support of OGC Nice, an official jersey signed by all the players was auctioned off, a strong symbol of cohesion and local excellence.
• Finally, Nissa Rugby and its President Jean-Baptiste Aldigé donated an official jersey signed by the team, embodying fighting spirit, solidarity and team spirit in the service of the student cause.

The same objective: to support the talents of tomorrow. All funds raised will be donated to the Foundation's Talents & Impact program.

Thank you to the founding members of the Fondation Université Côte d'Azur and to all our historical partners for their loyalty and commitment.