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Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean to be honorary chair of a summer university on francophone studies
OTTAWA, January 13, 2014 — The University of Ottawa will host the fourth edition of the Université d’été sur la francophonie des Amériques, a summer university that will bring together graduate students and professionals working in the field of francophone studies. Participants and speakers from all over the Americas will meet on campus for one week in summer 2015 for high-quality, university-level study.
The summer university is a program of Centre de la francophonie des Amériques. The University of Ottawa was selected to host the next edition following a rigorous selection process.
“We will be hosting Francophones from all over the Americas,” Allan Rock, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa, was pleased to note. “We’re happy that the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques selected us, thus recognizing our mission to strengthen Francophone communities, share knowledge in French and educate tomorrow’s Francophone elite. Our selection confirms once again our key role among Francophones nationally and across the Americas,” said Rock.
The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, chancellor of the University of Ottawa, will inspire participants as honorary chair of the event.
“The University of Ottawa’s mission has always been to encourage French-language research and higher education and highlight the richness of Canada’s francophone communities, but also to spread a love of French language and culture across Canada. Who better than our university, situated right in the heart of the nation’s capital, to take a fresh look at Francophones in the Americas?” said Jean.
The University of Ottawa’s application was supported by a score of institutes, research chairs, organizations, alliances and community organizations from the National Capital Region and around the country.
More than 13,000 Francophones study in one of the 250 programs that the University of Ottawa offers in French. The University also has nine Research Chairs in Canadian Francophonie, its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française and a Francophone studies program.
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About the Université d’été sur la francophonie des Amériques
This summer university offers both theoretical and practical education for graduate students, professionals and journalists, allowing for a fresh look at the Francophones of the Americas. It aims to make knowledge accessible and make universities aware of the importance of Francophone culture.
About the University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is the largest English-French bilingual university in the world, an institution where it is possible for students to study in English, in French, or in both languages. Located in the capital of Canada, a G8 nation, we have ready access to the great institutions of our country. Our breakthroughs in health, science, social sciences and the humanities attract global attention, reflecting our ranking among Canada’s top 10 research universities and our ongoing drive to discover.
About the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques
The mission of the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques is to promote and connect the 33 million Francophones of the Americas. The centre is an essential resource to highlight French within the cultural diversity of the Americas.
Information for media:
Caroline Milliard
Manager, Media Relations
University of Ottawa
Cell: 613-240-0275
caroline.milliard@uOttawa.ca
Line Gigault
Communications Coordinator
Centre de la francophonie des Amériques
Tel.: 418-646-3312
line.gigault@francophoniedesameriques.com
