BATON ROUGE, La. (Sept. 13, 2018) – Today, Ecole des Ingénieurs de la Ville de Paris, an engineering university based in Paris, and The Water Institute of the Gulf formalized a relationship forged earlier this year with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage joint research projects, the exchange of staff, and to pursue opportunities related to water resource management, resilience, urban water management and flood risk reduction.
This exciting agreement of collaboration began in June when the Institute’s Vice President for Adaptation and Resilience Jeff Hebert traveled to Paris to take part in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Invitation Program for Future Leaders (PIPA) where he chose to study climate adaptation and resilience research, policy and programs through meetings with the French government, academic institutions, and private industry.
The invitation only PIPA program brings together people from all over the world and gives them the opportunity to meet and strategize with people and companies as a way to enhance France’s connection to world leaders. Over the course of a week, Hebert was able to meet with many private, public and academic leaders.
Today, the University and Institute leadership formalized the relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage joint research projects, the exchange of staff, and to pursue opportunities related to water resource management, resilience, urban water management and flood risk reduction.
“EIVP has been engaged in many research projects in Louisiana post Hurricane Katrina so it was clear that a working relationship between our two organization would be beneficial to everyone involved,” Hebert said. “Communities in France and Louisiana are challenged by changes in climate that are producing increased flooding, extreme heat, and other challenges. There is much we can learn from one another.”
“As director of EIVP, I am very happy to have signed this agreement. From the point of view of our research, we have always devoted much time and effort to tackle major resilience issues, including the collaboration with our colleagues at the New Orleans City Council after Hurricane Katrina,” said Franck Jung, director of EIVP.
The MOU outlines a framework for future cooperation and collaboration on research and technological developments related to integrated water resource management, water quality, critical infrastructure resilience, climate adaptation, urban water management and nature-based flood defense. The MOU will help in the future possible exchange of information, research students and staff for the benefit of both organizations.
“I am excited that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Invitation Program for Future Leaders resulted in concrete, immediate initiatives from French and Louisianan organizations,” said Vincent Sciama, Consul General of France in New Orleans. “This is an opportunity to work together on some of the most urgent issues of our time and to pave the way for sustainable development.”