After 30 years at the HEC Montréal, Professor Marie-Hélène Jobin joined the University of Luxembourg as the first Vice-Rector for partnerships and international relations. She tells us more about the university’s upcoming IP policy, its recent Open Day, and the need to attract more women to STEM careers.
Last year in June, you assumed the role of Vice Rector for partnerships and international relations at the University of Luxembourg. What goals did you establish for yourself in this position?
This position was built to focus on two key concepts: partnerships and impact. These partnerships include the relationships we have with different stakeholders in society, including other universities, research centers, alliances, governmental bodies, and enterprises in the business environment. Our goal is to improve the intake that we have through partnerships with top-of-the-line universities, building some Erasmus Mundus or other types of programs that bring to Luxembourg the best talents. It’s about leveraging our university as a tool for attracting and retaining talent.
My mandate also includes facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology, everything to do with licensing and the creation of spin-offs from the university’s intellectual property. One of the major tasks I’ve undertaken in the last months was to work on the intellectual property policy. We lacked an IP policy to protect the creators and also the interests of the university. This policy is a cornerstone for us and goes along with the entrepreneurial spirit we want to create at the university. Next week the GC should approve the final text.
The University of Luxembourg just hosted its Open Day on 16 March. What were some of the main messages you hoped to communicate to prospective students?
I want to mention that I haven’t participated in the Open Day myself since I joined the university only nine months ago, so my first Open Day experience is coming up. However, what we aim to convey, is that science and academia are accessible to everyone. Our main message is that science is for you, don’t be intimidated.
We want to raise awareness of the possibilities within science for students as a future career and a means to improve the quality of life and society. The University of Luxembourg is a wise choice for students because of its top-notch research, quality programs, and proximity to home. We provide an international setting that’s embedded in our programs, especially with the compulsory semester abroad, which enriches students’ global outlook.
“We currently have 12 endowed research chairs, and others could be added soon.”
Professor Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice-Rector for partnerships and international relations at the University of Luxembourg
How does the Open Day help in attracting a diverse student body, and what specific efforts were made to include women and international students?
The Open Day is crucial for attracting a diverse student body. We showcase our multilingual environment, dynamic campus life, and the breadth of our programs. Specifically for women and international students, we highlight our STEM fields and the supportive measures we have in place to encourage their participation and success.
Our outreach doesn’t stop at the Open Day, it’s part of a broader strategy to engage with schools, families, and international communities to ensure that everyone knows that the University of Luxembourg offers an inclusive and supportive environment. Our goal is to demystify higher education and research careers, making them feel attainable and appealing to all prospective students, regardless of their background.
How does the University of Luxembourg connect academia with industry?
This is part of my role. We are defined as a research university so it’s crucial to show the impact of our research on society, including through collaborations with industry. It’s a continuous challenge to maintain these connections, but by doing so, we ensure that our research has practical applications and benefits society at large.
We carry out research projects and have set up chairs with private companies and public partners, which solidifies our roots in the community of Luxembourg and ensures the University’s relevance to its environment. We currently have 12 endowed research chairs, and others could be added soon. This is proof of the impact that the University has on its community and the added value that we bring to Luxembourg.
This is the raison d’être of our priority project on IP policy to support the University’s value creators and find the best ways of ensuring an impact on society and the scientific community […]Professor Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice-Rector for partnerships and international relations at the University of Luxembourg
How do you inspire the younger generations to get interested in science and become part of Luxembourg’s future research projects?
Over the University’s 20 years, we have also developed a dynamic approach to public engagement, dissemination of science and citizen science. This is also a great way of having an impact on society, and one of my missions is to promote this important contribution and make Luxembourg a reference state where science is at the heart of the development of society.
Through different programmes such as Sciencteens Lab we reach out to the younger generations and offer interactive workshops to get them interested in science. We also have specific trainings for primary school teachers to help them explain science to their students. These are only a few of the initiatives in our growing portfolio to bring science to a wider audience.
Looking forward, what are your strategic plans for incorporating emerging technologies into education and research at the University of Luxembourg?
A research university is defined by its ability to incorporate its discoveries and cutting-edge knowledge into its teaching. It is therefore a constant objective to promote cutting-edge teaching, particularly at the master’s and doctoral level, but also at the undergraduate level.
The University is also privileged to have state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional laboratories in a number of fields. We should also celebrate the fact that we create these technologies at the University.
The challenge is to make the most of these technologies. This is the raison d’être of our priority project on IP policy to support the University’s value creators and find the best ways of ensuring an impact on society and the scientific community and at the same time recognise the contribution of the creators: publication, patents, open access, all means can be combined to promote the know-how and value of researchers at the University of Luxembourg.
