Kossi ATCHNOUGLO, a professor and researcher atthe University of Lomé (UL) and the Togo coordinator for the joint UTBM/UL master’s program, visited UTBM as part of the PEA IMPACT project from September 2 to 12, 2025, with three objectives in mind.
Develop Collaborations
Numerous meetings were scheduled with UTBM’s major departments—including the Department of Academic Programs and Pedagogy, the Department of Information Systems and Digital Technology, Corporate Relations, and Communications—with the aim of refining the administrative processes for the joint UTBM/UL master’s program in Computer Science and exploring all possibilities for collaboration, particularly with other master’s programs and academic departments.
They also had the opportunity to speak directly with all the Togolese students who had made themselves available to answer questions (thank you to them!).
Four students have expressed interest in an internship, and one student is reportedly interested in spending a semester studying there.
"These exchange programs aim to strengthen UL’s initiatives through the efforts of UL’s Office of Information, External Relations, and Cooperation, the PEA IMPACTprogram (implemented by theANR (French National Research Agency) and funded by theAFD—French Development Agency, as well as the joint programs of theInstitut français (via SCAC – Togo), supported by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs,” Kossi tells us.
Promote mobility opportunities in Africa to our students
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, all UTBM students and the educational community were invited to attend a meeting followed by a roundtable discussion focused on mobility opportunities in Africa.
On this occasion, Kossi ATCHONOUGLO presented the various upcoming mobility opportunities:
Many UTBM students attended in person and online and had the opportunity to speak with the faculty team: Kossi ATCHNOUGLO, Frédéric HOLWECK—a faculty member and researcher who serves as the director of the joint master’s program and the scientific director for the IMPACT program on the UTBM side—and Heather COOPER, Deputy Director of the Office of International Relations and Internationalization, who is in charge of this partnership.
Meet the Togolese students
For more than 15 years, UTBM has maintained close cooperative relationships with African institutions of higher education, particularly in West Africa. Togolese students now make up one of the most dynamic international communities on our campus. Kossi ATCHONOUGLO took this opportunity to speak with Togolese students from various programs:
⁃ Erasmus+ KA171.
⁃ Exchange programs organized bythe Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, managed by SCAC Togo.
⁃PEA IMPACT, a project funded by the Development Agency and led by France’s National Research Agency.
⁃ Program of excellence between the two universities.
⁃ And others.
“We know that studying abroad is an enriching and invaluable experience that allows students to develop a new way of being and new skills. Enriched both personally and intellectually, they will be able to approach the future with a fresh perspective. As part of the partnership between the University of Lomé (Togo) and the University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard (France), Togolese students spend a semester studying at UTBM each year. This semester of study at UTBM will allow them to discover customs, traditions, and ways of life different from their own—especially since they will be in contact with people from some sixty different nationalities. This cultural immersion fosters greater understanding and tolerance toward other cultures—skills that are essential for thriving in our globalized world. “Thank you to the partners who have made these exchange programs possible,” Kossi tells us.
A big thank you to all the teams that came together to welcome us and help move our joint projects forward.
