The Institute for Advanced Transdisciplinary Studies (IEAT) at UFMG, represented by its director, Patrícia Kauark Leite, was on an institutional mission to two institutes for advanced studies in France in March 2025.

On March 5, a meeting was held at the headquarters of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Paris (Institut d’Études Avancées de Paris – IEA-Paris) to discuss possibilities for international cooperation between the two institutes. At the meeting, which was attended by the director of IEA-Paris, Saadi Lahlou, the scientific director of the same institute, Paulius Yamin, and Patrícia Kauark, talks were initiated to develop an international cooperation project in the area of ​​Teacher Training and Artificial Intelligence.

Aligned with the interests of both institutions, with a special focus on intersectorality, the project is directly connected to the actions of the Fundep Magda Soares Chair of Basic Education at IEAT. According to Patrícia Kauark, the proposal foresees the development of collaborative research, which will include holding an intermediate seminar to exchange knowledge, developing methodological definitions and producing a joint publication, consolidating the results of the research. “This partnership reinforces the commitment of both institutions to innovation in education and the responsible use of technology in teaching, promoting an academic exchange of excellence”, highlights Kauark.

On March 10, a meeting was held in Marseille, in the south of France, with representatives of the Institute of Advanced Studies of Aix-Marseille (Institut d’Études Avancées d’Aix-Marseille – IMÉRA). On the occasion, Patrícia Kauark was received by Denis Bertin, president of IMÉRA, Enrico Donaggio, scientific director, and Emmanuel Girard-Reydet, secretary general of the institution. The meeting aimed to discuss proposals for collaboration between the two institutions, with a focus on strengthening academic and institutional exchange.

Among the main steps taken, the development of an international cooperation project at the interface between Science and Art, an area of ​​common interest for both institutions, stood out. In the case of IEAT, the partnership will allow the use of IMÉRA’s experience in integrating artistic and scientific residencies, promoting a broader interdisciplinary dialogue.

In addition, the terms of the exchange program for technical and administrative staff were discussed. As part of this program, in June 2025, Jordana Santos, an employee from the IEAT’s finance and accounting department, will participate in a one-month exchange program at IMÉRA, with the aim of acquiring good management practices and taking an immersion course in the French language. In return, next year, IEAT will receive an employee from IMÉRA, thus promoting reciprocal and sustainable collaboration between the institutions.

The formalization of the terms of the agreement represents a significant step in the consolidation of this strategic partnership, contributing to the internationalization of IEAT’s activities and to the expansion of academic and cultural cooperation networks.