The École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) formalized a new partnership on October 9, 2026. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from both institutions, including Professor Alec Cameron, RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, and Nathalie Carrasco, President of ENS Paris-Saclay. Australia's Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Lynette Wood, was also present, alongside university leaders, researchers, and innovation specialists from Australia and France.
This agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in research, innovation partnerships, doctoral training, and student and staff mobility. It aims to foster the development of joint research projects, cotutelle doctorates, and new opportunities for researchers to work within both institutions.
Professor Alec Cameron highlighted that this partnership aligns with RMIT's long-standing commitment to France and Europe. "In collaboration with ENS Paris-Saclay, we see significant opportunities to combine our strengths in areas such as design and artificial intelligence, particularly at the intersection of these disciplines," he stated.
Nathalie Carrasco noted that the agreement provides an official framework for an already existing relationship. "Many agreements are signed between institutions that barely know each other, hoping a relationship will develop later. Today, it's the opposite. We are providing an official framework and defining the conditions for future development of a relationship that already exists, forged over years of collaboration," she explained.
A key driver of this partnership is the appointment of Associate Professor James Auger as Research Director in Design, Culture, and Creative Practices at RMIT Europe. An internationally recognized figure in speculative and critical design, Mr. Auger joins RMIT Europe after serving as Head of the Design Department at ENS Paris-Saclay and co-director of the Design Research Centre. This appointment will allow James Auger to maintain active research collaborations with ENS Paris-Saclay while contributing to the development of RMIT's research and industry engagement activities across Europe.
James Auger expressed his enthusiasm for the framework created for researchers and students. "At the heart of this partnership are design research and the opportunity to explore questions that transcend disciplines; I look forward to seeing the ideas and projects that emerge from it," he said. This partnership reinforces the commitment of both institutions to advancing international research collaboration and supporting the next generation of researchers.
