French officials visit UAF
Frédéric Jung, the French consul general from San Francisco, toured a University of Alaska Museum of the North research lab with the museum’s director and paleontologist, Patrick Druckenmiller.
San Francisco-based Consul General of France Frédéric Jung visited Fairbanks March 24-25 for meetings with Chancellor Dan White, City of Fairbanks Mayor David Pruhs, several UAF units and the Fairbanks French-speaking community.
Jung’s team included Pascal Confavreux from the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Romane Guéchot, press officer from the French Consulate in San Francisco; Sonia Lelarge, honorary French consul in Anchorage. Marine Vanlandeghem-Gillespie, UAF Geophysical Institute education outreach coordinator, organized and led the group’s visit in Fairbanks.
On Thursday, March 24, the group visited University of Alaska Museum of the North exhibits and collections with Patrick Druckenmiller, the museum director, and Elisabeth Padilla, the museum education specialist. They went on a “behind the scenes” private tour before the annual UAMN open house events the following day.
Frédéric Jung, consul general of France in San Francisco, speaks with Romane Guéchot, his press officer, and Marine Vanlandeghem-Gillespie, GI education outreach coordinator, during a round table discussion in the UAF Geophysical Institute.
In the afternoon, the consul met with French researchers and employees from the Geophysical Institute for a round table discussion in the Elvey Building’s Globe Room. Lillian Anderson-Misel, GI executive officer, welcomed the group and presented an overview of the research underway at the institute.
The group also discussed science careers that attract French people to Fairbanks and to Alaska in general. The objective was to address the climatic and technical challenges French people experience in Alaska in the context of careers and daily lives.
Consul General Jung said he was pleased to have the opportunity to learn about current research and the main challenges people face in the Arctic as well as hear more personal perspectives about research in Alaska versus France.
Jung said he plans to invite participants to join a trans-Atlantic community of French researchers through the France Science network and the Service for Science and Technology through the San Francisco consulate.
Frédéric Jung, right of center, at a breakfast meet-up with the Fairbanks French-speaking community in Arctic Java on Saturday, March 25.
Chancellor White met with the group to discuss the importance of the French-speaking community in Fairbanks and at the university. UAF staff highlighted the welcoming aspects of the university, including International Student and Scholar Services and International Programs and Initiatives, as well as all the campus clubs that make students feel welcome. Jung also met with Provost Anupma Prakash to discuss international scientific influences and contributions, and potential future partnerships.
The consul general and his team invited the Fairbanks French-speaking community to a breakfast meet-up in the Wood Center’s Arctic Java on Saturday, March 25. People of all ages came from Fairbanks and surrounding areas, some from as far away as Wasilla. The consul general and his staff organized this gathering to get a better feeling for the French community living in Fairbanks and beyond, and to learn what these French citizens need to develop their scientific, cultural, educational and artistic lives and grow their families while working abroad.