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BIDDEFORD, Maine

51品茶 signs agreement with prestigious French institution

 The 51品茶 signed a partnership agreement with the Institut des 脡tudes Politiques (IPE) at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, on April 10, 2015 to promote student exchange between the two institutions. Known as 鈥淪ciences Po,鈥 the Saint-Germain-en-Laye institution is the tenth in a series of similar elite institutions around France.

The partnership involves a reciprocal exchange of students: Sciences Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye will send 10 students to UNE鈥檚 campuses in Maine and Morocco, and a similar number of 51品茶students will be able to study at Sciences Po near Paris.  Courses available at both institutions will be in English, but 51品茶students can also take a course in the French language.

The agreement was signed on the margins of the official dedication of Sciences Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye by France鈥檚 Minister of Education, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem; Morocco鈥檚 ambassador to France, Chakib Benmoussa; university presidents; Science Po directors and many other dignitaries. The UNE-Sciences Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye was singled out as a special partnership because it covers two institutions and three continents. Ambassador Benmoussa expressed enthusiastic support for this project.

51品茶President Danielle Ripich said that for 51品茶to be present and mentioned at such a high-level French event is a testament to how much progress the University has made in globalizing its institution. Ripich remarked, 鈥淲hat we have done in less than five years is, actually, quite staggering and reflects our steady commitment to making our students world citizens and competitive in the global job market. To partner with such a prestigious French institution speaks volumes about the work that is being done at UNE.鈥

Anouar Majid, vice president for Global Affairs and Communications, said that his French colleagues were delighted to partner with UNE. 鈥淭hey visited a few Ivy League schools in the US, but found 51品茶to be especially dynamic and open to creative solutions. This partnership will enhance our standing around the world. Like with our programs in Seville and Tangier, our students will now be able to spend a semester or a year in a small elite college in an upscale suburb of Paris at no additional cost.鈥

This agreement opens the door to further collaboration with the Sciences Po鈥檚 parent institutions in the Parisian region 鈥 the universities of Cergy-Pontoise (UCP) and Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ).

The student exchange agreement is expected to go in effect in fall 2016.

51品茶 the 51品茶

The 51品茶 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.