As part of the PEA-IMPACT program, funded by the French Development Agency and led by the National Research Agency in partnership with UTT, the University of Lomé, and IMT in Albi, we hosted four doctoral students during the fall semester of 2024. The funding covers two six-month stays per student; as a result, they will return in the spring of 2026.
🔎Spotlight on two doctoral students from Lomé who will be at UTBM from September 2, 2024, to February 25, 2025.
Yaovi HOETOWOU, 42, had very productive interactions with UTBM faculty while pursuing the joint master’s degree in computer science at the University of Lomé. These fruitful exchanges, combined with the fact that the proposed research topic was particularly interesting, inspired him to pursue his doctoral thesis at UTBM.
“The IMPACT program issued calls for applications, so I decided to give it a try. I had also considered writing another thesis, but the topic at UTBM—the study and design of a predictive monitoring system in veterinary medicine with an application to the poultry sector—particularly caught my attention,”explains Yaovi.
For six months, he was at the Sinergies laboratory with Amir HAJJAM EL HASSANI, in collaboration with Sid Ahmed LAMROUS, and he is pleased with the progress of his work, as they are close to publishing their first article. He admits that it took some getting used to the cold weather in Belfort (the average temperature in Togo is 30° all year round!), but that in the end it wasn’t that difficult. He found warmth in his interactions with the people of Belfort.
Moving forward, he will continue in the same vein, but in Lomé, with weekly meetings.“I would like to thank the Director of UTBM, Mr. MONTAVON, for his words of encouragement; they have made us feel right at home here. I’d like to thank the staff of the HR Department and the DRII, especially Franck GECHTER, Heather COOPER, and Adélaïde CAREIL. A special thank you to Denise, Hélène, Francis, Damien, Pascal, Serge, Frédéric, Abdeljalil, and everyone in Building H in Belfort, not to mention Nadjime PINDRA, my director in Lomé. Finally, thank you to Mr. ATCHONOUGLO, the partnership representative.”
His highlights: the Doctoriales in Reims, where he took on challenges (a sort of hackathon), and the Scientific Innovation Day, where he was able to talk with many students about his dissertation.
In the longer term, he hopes to continue working in teaching and research, always in partnership with the professors at UTBM.
Koffi AYENA,27, completed a master’s degree in mathematics and its applications before embarking on his doctoral research. He chose UTBM because of his interest in the subject: theoretical studies and evaluation of auto-associative models, with applications to pollutant dispersion.
So he was at the ICB with Frédéric HOLWECK, working under the supervision of Serge IOVLEFF in Building H in Belfort.“So far, we’ve done theoretical exploration and run simulations. We’re currently in the process of designing a meta-model to simulate pollutant dispersion maps. I am pleased with the progress made over the past six months and will continue to make headway from Lomé. We will hold weekly video conferences until my return. I would like to thank the Director of UTBM, Mr. MONTAVON, for his words of encouragement, and the staff of the HR Department and the Research and Innovation Department for their warm welcome. I would especially like to express my gratitude to Nathalie CORNUS, Franck GECHTER, Heather COOPER, and Adélaïde CAREIL. A special thought also goes out to Denise, Hélène, Francis, Damien, Pascal, Serge, Frédéric, Abdeljalil, and everyone in Building H. I would also like to thank my thesis advisor, Prof. Amah D’ALMEIDA of the University of Lomé, and finally, Mr. ATCHONOUGLO, the partnership representative.”
What did he think of Belfort?“It’s a good place to study—it’s quiet, and as for the weather… I’ve managed to get used to it! I could even see myself living there long-term.”
He also hopes to continue his work in teaching and research, always in partnership with our professors, whether here in France or elsewhere. “I’m also interested in China in relation to the issues I’m studying.”
His highlights:“I attended a gathering of young African researchers in Paris; it was a wonderful recognition of my work.”He particularly appreciated the quality of the discussions with his colleagues and friends.
We wish them every success as they move forward with their work, and we look forward to seeing them again in the spring of 2026 (the weather should be nicer then ☀️!).
