On September 16–17, 2024, IMT Mines Albi hosted the inaugural edition of the IMT Global Partners Forum, welcoming more than fifty academic, institutional and industry partners from Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Strategically timed ahead of the EAIE Conference in Toulouse, this international gathering confirmed IMT’s role as a committed player in driving major transformations in higher education, research and innovation on a global scale.
A Key Milestone in IMT’s International Strategy
Opened by Frédérique Vincent, Deputy Executive Director for Education and International Affairs, the forum highlighted the pivotal role of international collaboration in addressing today’s pressing scientific, technological, environmental and societal challenges. By convening its global network, IMT reasserted its ambition to co-create high-impact partnerships that contribute to a more sustainable future.
The forum is directly aligned with IMT’s 2023–2027 strategic roadmap—particularly Strategic Priority T1, which aims to bolster IMT’s visibility and influence within the European and international higher education and research ecosystems.
A Lively European Momentum: EULiST in Focus
One of the forum’s highlights was the session dedicated to the EULiST, European Universities Linking Society and Technology, which brought together representatives from several partner universities. Pablo Tomás Salvadores Alonso (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos) and Marcus Hoppe (Leibniz Universität Hannover) outlined the alliance’s core goals, its “Beyond Europe” vision, and the tangible opportunities it offers for mobility, joint projects, and scientific cooperation.
More than just an institutional exchange, this session anchored IMT’s European dynamic and helped shape a shared roadmap with its international partners.
A Collective Ambition for Transformation
The 2024 IMT Global Partners Forum marks a foundational step forward. It strengthened existing ties, sparked new partnerships, and reaffirmed IMT’s collective commitment to addressing the industrial, digital, ecological and social challenges of tomorrow.
Through this initiative, IMT reinforces its ambition to contribute to a knowledge-driven Europe that is open to the world—fully aligned with the goals of France 2030 and Horizon Europe.
This forum is not an endpoint, but a launchpad—a catalyst for building a responsive, inclusive and action-driven international network, where people, science and collaboration are the engines of transformation.
