[EDUC Research] A look back at the European Doctoral Day 2026 at UPN

General presentation

Each year, University Paris Nanterre enrolls just over 1,200 doctoral students, 30% of whom are international students.

To mark European Doctoral Day, the University of Paris Nanterre sought to enhance the appeal of its doctoral program among European and international students by highlighting various initiatives for international cooperation and collaboration with the socio-economic sector, as well as the wide range of career opportunities available upon completion of the doctorate.  

The event began by highlighting opportunities at our partner institutions, with a presentation on international joint supervision arrangements and the European Digital UniverCity (EDUC) alliance, of which the university is a member. The diversity of doctoral training pathways was then highlighted through a presentation on the Industrial Agreements for Research-Based Training (CIFRE) as well as joint supervision by professionals from the socio-economic or cultural sectors. The third part of the event aimed to highlight the richness of doctoral pathways as well as the essential added value of the skills acquired during the doctorate, not only for careers in higher education and research but also for the socio-economic sector in a constantly evolving Europe.

In addition to providing information on the programs presented (see opposite), this event featured a series of testimonials from doctoral students and stakeholders in the socioeconomic and cultural sectors.

 

Program

2:00 p.m.: Opening remarks—Marianne Cojannot-Leblanc, President of the Doctoral College, University of Paris Nanterre

Part 1: During the Ph.D. program

2:10–2:45 p.m.: Opportunities for international pathways: international joint supervision, international co-supervision, EDUC, and doctoral mobility
Sophie Beauchef-Bugnon, Head of the Research Administrative Service; Justine Noyer, EDUC Project Manager (Directorate of Research and Doctoral Studies, Paris Nanterre University)
Testimonials from three doctoral students

2:45–3:30 p.m.: Links to the socio-economic sector: CIFRE, COFRA, thesis co-supervision by a professional from the socio-economic or cultural sector 
Rania Ferchichi and Robyne Aok-Ataman, Research Support Officers (DRED, Paris Nanterre University)
Testimonials from a CIFRE liaison officer in industry (Renault) and a co-advisor from the socio-economic sector (INSEP)

Part 2: After the Ph.D.

3:30–3:50 p.m.: Careers in higher education and research—Testimonials from an Assistant Professor and a CNRS Research Fellow

3:50–4:10 p.m.: The professional status of PhD holders: presentation of the APEC Hub for PhDs: Claudine Pierron

4:10–4:45 p.m.: Entrepreneurship and Career Transition
Presentation of Pépite PON (Claire Bordes, Head of Entrepreneurship, Paris Nanterre University)
Presentation of existing programs for career transition (Simon Devic, Head of the Career Transition Support Office, Paris Nanterre University)
Testimonial from a PhD student-entrepreneur

4:45–5:00 PM: The Skills of PhD Graduates—Yamina Cauvin, Head of Recruitment, ADOC Talent Management