UW establishes French connection

French Ambassador Francois Bujon de l’Estang will spend Friday, March 3, on campus for a briefing on enhancing campus connections to his home country.

The ambassador’s visit includes a press briefing at 1:30 p.m. Friday at University Research Park. The briefing, at the MGE Innovation Center, 505 S. Rosa Road, will focus on academic and economic exchanges between UW–Madison and France, including a technology-based business partnership.

Bujon de l’Estang, ambassador since 1995, is spending two days in Wisconsin by invitation of Gov. Tommy Thompson. It’s the first Wisconsin visit by a French U.S. ambassador since 1984. Bujon de l’Estang’s itinerary includes a public address Thursday in Milwaukee and meetings with Thompson and other officials.

During his UW–Madison visit Friday, Bujon de l’Estang will have a morning discussion in French with students and teachers at Madison’s historic French House, 633 North Frances St. The house was the first such residence in the country to promote immersion in the French language.

The ambassador will also get a briefing at Grainger Hall on a wide range of programs in French and European Studies. Later that morning, he will be at the research park for a briefing by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, presentations from three park companies and a tour of the park.

Gilles Bousquet, chair of the French department, said the ambassador wants to enhance academic, cultural and economic ties with the university, the state and France. UW–Madison has a strong base of programs to build on, Bousquet says.

One unique internship program, a joint effort between the French department and School of Business, places students in technology-based businesses and organizations in both countries. It has placed more than 130 students since its inception in 1988.

Mark Bugher, director of the Research Park, says the ambassador will discuss plans for a “sister park relationship” with a major technology park in France. This type of international link is a “logical step” for the park, which has companies with European ties, and a boon to Wisconsin’s efforts in the global economy.

For more information about the visit, contact Bousquet, (608) 262-3941.