During the first reporting period (M1–M24), AUFRANDE made significant progress toward its objectives of fostering international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research through dual-doctorate training.
Key achievements during the period include the:
• Recruitment of 63 doctoral candidates across three calls with 59 currently enrolled.
• Signing of partnership agreements between 34 institutions in France and Australia.
• Negotiation of co-supervision (cotutelle) agreements for nearly all positions, enabling dual enrolment of Doctoral Candidates in France and Australia.
• Establishment of a Supervisors Committee, a Doctoral Candidates Committee, and an Advisory Board reporting to and guiding the Program Committee.
• Creation of a community of practice gathering teams involved in the negotiation and implementation of co-supervision arrangements.
• Launch of thematic task forces (communication, industry engagement, sustainable research) to promote best practices and hands-on collaboration on topics of relevance for the Program and the researchers.
• Organisation of two major annual events in France and Australia, combining scientific presentations, training sessions and networking.
• Arrangement of 14 secondments to Australia.
• Submission of 20 deliverables and achievement of three milestones.
The AUFRANDE events, held in both France and Australia, play a key role in building the community. Organised by RMIT Europe and host partners, in collaboration with other projects (e.g. the REDI Program) and initiatives such as the Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation (AFRAN) and the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), these events provide a forum for sharing research activities and results, fostering networking, and exploring new collaborations. Training sessions delivered during the events complement the activities of local doctoral programs with, for example, modules on research ethics, open science, innovation and entrepreneurship, and science communication.
