The French Ambassador, HE, Hélène Duchêne, visited Churchill College to celebrate the longstanding relationship between Churchill College and the French Government. Churchill College has hosted French Government Fellowships for the past 50 years, the purpose of which is ‘to promote visits by French scientific research workers to the University of Cambridge while allowing them to profit by the multidisciplinary environment provided by the College surroundings’. There are now 2 or 3 Fellows or By-Fellows awarded under the scheme each year, for periods of 6-12 months.
HE, Hélène Duchêne, was accompanied by Dr Patrick Nédellec, Counsellor for Science & Technology at the Embassy of France to the United Kingdom, and Dr Ludovic Drouin, Science Attaché at the Embassy. After meeting with the College Master, Professor Sharon Peacock, and Vice-Master, Adrian Barbrook, the group met the Director of the Churchill Archives Centre, Allen Packwood. A range of resources relevant to French history and scientific development were on display, demonstrating the significance of Archive Centre’s collections, and made available to the Ambassador and guests.
Following a short tour of the Archives Centre, the Ambassador had the opportunity to meet with French students and Fellows of the College for a drinks reception. This included some of the current French Government Fellows and By-Fellows. The addition of By-Fellows dates back to around nine years ago when the College persuaded the Counsellor for Science and Technology at the French Embassy, that it would be good to extend the opportunity to younger French researchers.
The Fellowships are advertised annually in France, normally in February or March and the College liaises closely with the Counsellor for Science and Technology at the French Embassy in submitting nominations to the Fellowship Electors. Dr Ludovic Drouin noted the excellent quality of the candidates who applied in recent rounds, reflecting a highly competitive field.