Since 2024, the University of Caen Normandy has been actively developing its relations with the Philippines, on the initiative of the French Embassy in the Philippines and thanks to a connection established via the INSPÉ Network. This partnership is fully in line with the institution’s internationalization strategy, with the objectives of promoting student mobility and structuring sustainable cooperation in French as a foreign language (FLE) and teacher training.
Student mobility at the heart of this partnership
The first exchanges, initiated by Magali Jeannin, lecturer and trainer at INSPÉ Normandie Caen, enabled a dozen INSPÉ Normandie Caen trainees to be welcomed at the Maternelle Academy, then at CIT University in Cebu. This dynamic was reinforced by the signing of a bilateral student exchange agreement and by the hosting of several Philippine delegations in Caen during the 2024/2025 academic year.
UNICAEN was also virtually present at the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) on November 21, 2025 for a presentation of the institution and its programs, which reached up to 116 participants.
This year, UNICAEN also welcomed two Filipino students. The two students, who are enrolled in different programs, share their experiences:
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from De La Salle University–Dasmariñas, I had the honour of being selected as a French Government scholarship recipient, a prestigious distinction awarded by Campus France. I am currently pursuing my second year of a master’s degree in Educational Mobility and Tourism. This degree is taught 80% in English and 20% in French. Thanks to daily immersion and the university’s language programmes, I have significantly improved my French.
Compared to larger French cities, Caen offers a more affordable cost of living, whether for housing, transport or activities. Despite a few difficulties, I feel that France, and Caen in particular, truly values international students by offering an accessible and inclusive study environment.
I have a degree in graphic design from the University of Manila and I am currently enrolled in the University Diploma in French Studies at the University of Caen Normandy in order to reach the B2 level required to obtain my master’s degree.
I believe that following this programme and being immersed in a French-speaking country is an excellent way to learn French. I am always surprised at how quickly I am learning. In the future, I hope to be able to pursue my master’s degree with confidence in the language, and I believe that the DUEF programme is an excellent stepping stone towards this goal.
Expanded collaborations: FLE, training, and research
At the same time, UNICAEN expanded its collaborations in the fields of FLE, training, and research by welcoming two French teachers from the University of the Philippines Diliman in December 2024. This visit, involving INSPÉ, UFR HSS, the CRISCO laboratory, and the Carré International Language Training Center (PFL), opened up new perspectives, particularly the development of FLE teaching methods and the exploration of cooperation in science and engineering.
Expertise at the service of a lasting partnership
These exchanges build on UNICAEN’s proven expertise, particularly in Africa, with the co-creation of contextualized FLE textbooks, the training of trainers, and the implementation of innovative educational programs. The work carried out at INSPÉ Normandie Caen on contextualized FLE teaching is a major asset in supporting the professionalization of Filipino teachers and the structuring of local French language courses.
In the medium term, this cooperation could result in new agreements and the submission of an Erasmus+ project starting in 2026. Through these actions, UNICAEN is affirming its commitment to structured and sustainable internationalization in Southeast Asia.
