The University of Reunion Island and MEDEF Reunion signed a partnership agreement on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, aimed at sustainably strengthening the links between higher education and the economic world of Reunion Island.

Student success and professional integration, skills, research, innovation and the return of talent: this cooperation must now translate into concrete actions serving the territory.
Signed by Jean-François Hoarau, President of the University of Reunion Island, and Katy Hoarau, President of MEDEF Reunion, this agreement is part of the extension of the national partnership concluded on February 12, 2026 between France Universités and MEDEF.
Concluded for three years, it sets a common framework for developing cooperation between the University and companies in Reunion and strengthening dialogue around training pathways, professional integration, skills, research and major transformations of the territory.
On the occasion of this signing, the President of the University emphasized three key issues: equality between women and men, the return of talent to Reunion Island, and the strengthening of links between the University and the business world.

Strengthening the links between students and businesses

Student success and their professional integration constitute one of the main focuses of this cooperation.
The University and MEDEF Réunion intend to develop opportunities for students and professionals to connect through forums, job fairs, immersion programs, and career networking events. The agreement also aims to strengthen initiatives to prevent students from dropping out of university at the undergraduate level.
Developing apprenticeships is another priority. The goal is to promote student access to work-study programs and to continue the dialogue with businesses regarding skills and evolving job roles.
Special attention will also be paid to the skills developed in the humanities and social sciences, in order to make them better known to employers and to promote internships, projects, surveys, diagnoses or missions involving students and companies.

To foster dialogue between training, skills and the needs of the territory

The agreement provides for the implementation of a regular process of sharing and analysis around in-demand professions, sectoral developments and skills needs in Reunion Island.
This cooperation should strengthen the dialogue between the University and economic actors, particularly in sectors that are strategic for the territory such as tourism, construction, digital technology, agriculture, the blue economy, renewable energies and services.
It also concerns lifelong learning, with the aim of developing continuing education pathways, short modules, certifications or retraining schemes adapted to the evolution of professions and the realities of the territory.

Research, doctoral studies and innovation: strengthening cooperation

The partnership also covers the University's research and innovation activities.
The two partners wish to promote collaborations between laboratories and companies, develop applied research work and in particular support the use of CIFRE theses.
The agreement also aims to raise awareness of doctoral training and the skills of PhDs among businesses and institutions in the region, while developing career opportunities for PhDs.
These collaborations may focus in particular on the major challenges of transformation of Reunion Island: ecological and energy transition, island resilience, circular economy, climate adaptation, tropical biodiversity, agroecology or sustainable innovation.
A first concrete prospect was already mentioned during the signing: to allow a doctoral student to present in 180 seconds a topic on robustness at the MEDEF Business Awards on September 8.

Promoting equality and the return of talent from Reunion Island

The convention also carries an ambition regarding equality between women and men, with the aim of further promoting women's access to scientific, technological, engineering and mathematics fields.
Promoting the career paths of female scientists, raising awareness among young people, mentoring and career exploration can be developed with local businesses.
Another shared challenge: to encourage the return and integration of talent from Reunion Island.
The University and MEDEF Réunion wish to strengthen the links between young Réunionnais in mobility and the opportunities available in the territory, whether it be end-of-studies internships, work-study programs, first jobs or entrepreneurial projects.
The objective is also to better value the skills and experience acquired through mobility to employers and to facilitate connections with the local economic fabric.

Cooperation focused on Reunion Island and the Indian Ocean

The partnership also aims to contribute to the attractiveness and influence of Reunion Island in its regional environment.
It plans to encourage the mobility of students, teacher-researchers and professionals, to develop projects with higher education establishments, companies and institutions in the region and to promote the expertise and innovations of Reunion Island.
A local monitoring committee will oversee and evaluate the actions undertaken. An annual review will allow progress to be measured and the partnership to be adapted to the needs of students, businesses, and the local area.

Through this agreement, the University of Reunion Island reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its dialogue with the socio-economic world while placing student success, research, innovation and the development of the territory at the heart of this cooperation.

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Photo of an official meeting between the University of Reunion Island and MEDEF Reunion. Seated side by side behind a long wooden table equipped with microphones: in a white shirt, Dani OSMAN, VP research, in a grey jacket speaking, the president of the university, Jean-François HOARAU, in a pink jacket, Katy HOARAU, president of MEDEF Reunion and in a printed shirt François HERMET, VP ethics and professional conduct.
In the background, a red curtain and a roll-up banner for the University of Reunion Island. The University of Reunion Island logo is in the bottom left corner and the MEDEF Reunion logo in the bottom right corner.