Building Stronger Ties Between French and Japanese Universities
An Interview with Bernard Chenevier of Okayama University
Bernard Chenevier, a senior CNRS researcher in materials science for around thirty years in Grenoble, is now continuing his commitment to research as an “International Research Partnership Developer” at Okayama University, Japan.
His mission since April 2014? Improve the university’s international visibility by leveraging the establishment of international research consortia, particularly with Europe, and by promoting scientific exchanges between the two continents. With a key strategy focus: building partnerships that integrate both research AND higher education, forming the cornerstone of a comprehensive, holistic approach.
Beyond many notable successes of the HORIZON EUROPE program, one of the major focuses is to develop student mobility. Through research internships for Master’s students lasting from 3 to 6 months, relationships between researchers and students can be significantly strengthened.
«These internships are working “du feu de Dieu”, and certainly well beyond my expectations », he says with enthusiasm, referring to the success of the program between France and Japan.
One important caveat remains however: Japanese students are significantly less inclined than their French counterparts to pursue international mobility. Each year, between 50 and 60 French students seize the opportunity to come to Okayama for a research internship, often paired with coursework – entirely in English. This dual-format program, unique in Japan, provides the students with an enriching and well-rounded academic experience.
Among the notable collaborations, Bernard Chenevier points to the strong ties with the University of Strasbourg, particularly through the IMS (ims.unistra.fr) and the HESPRI project (hespriproject.eu) of the HORIZON EUROPE program. The HESPRI initiative coordinator at UNISTRA is Professor Najoua Mohib of the Department of Education and Communication Sciences.
An important moment will also mark the 2026 universities’ agenda: in spring, an event co-organized by the Universities of Strasbourg and Okayama will be proposed.
Along with Okayama University, this event will bring together long-standing partners such as IMS, JSPS, and CNRS, and possibly representatives from the European Commission, to celebrate a decade of intense collaboration. This event will highlight a model example of cooperation between Japanese and European universities.
«These exchanges drive research, expand scientific horizons, and train the researchers of tomorrow ».