A Look Back at the International Training Staff Week: A Week Dedicated to Active Learning
On this page :
- A Week of Training and Exchange
- A Collective Effort in Support of Pedagogy
- Participants from Around the World
From 7 to 11 July 2025, the Nanterre campus hosted the International Training Staff Week, a training programme that brought together academic partners from Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The event aimed to highlight CESI’s expertise and best practices in active learning, the very DNA of our institution.
A Week of Training and Exchange
Over the course of five days, a team of six CESI instructors from the Nanterre, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Pau campuses delivered workshops, practical sessions and group discussions. The training, which is usually delivered in French for new teaching staff, was specially adapted into English for this occasion.
Participants explored how active learning is implemented at CESI, including project-based learning, problem-solving rooted in real-world cases, and collaborative work.
A Collective Effort in Support of Pedagogy
The event not only provided an opportunity to strengthen ties with international partners, but was also the result of genuine teamwork. Among the contributors were: Lamyae Lakhal, Head of the Pedagogical Unit; Cécile Lemaire, Instructional Designer; Laure Cottereau and Jad Bazzi, both teachers and academic coordinators; Stefan Seiler, Director of International Development; and Laurianne Giteau and Philippe Duperray, both International Relations Officers. Together, they delivered the programme and shared CESI’s expertise with participants.
Beyond the training sessions, the programme also included a cultural dimension. For example, guests attended a 3D immersive show on the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Participants from Around the World
This year’s edition welcomed twelve participants from international partner institutions, including representatives from ISM-Africa (Central African Republic), ASHESI University (Ghana), Strathmore University (Kenya), University of Wales Trinity Saint David (United Kingdom), and Chengdu University of Technology (China).
The outcome of the week was extremely positive. “All participants expressed their great satisfaction,” emphasised Philippe Duperray, Head of International Relations and active learning trainer at CESI.
Some participants, such as Robin Griffiths from the University of Wales, expressed their personal gratitude and CESI’s Chinese partners at CDTU also conveyed their appreciation to the entire organising team.
It was an opportunity not only to showcase our expertise, but also to strengthen relationships with partners who are already engaged in, or interested in, active learning.
Philippe Duperray concluded.
