On 21 September 2026, cooperation between French Guiana and Benin was strengthened at the CTG, where the University of French Guiana and Dr Benjamin Coovi Dako discussed higher education, research, health, heritage and academic mobility, with a view to consolidating a long-term partnership.
An institutional meeting at the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana
On Monday 21 September 2026, an institutional meeting took place at the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana (CTG). Philippe Bouba, 5th Vice-President of the CTG and Commissioner for Higher Education and Research, had invited Dr Benjamin Coovi Dako to attend on the occasion of his visit to French Guiana.
Dr Benjamin Coovi Dako, an academic from Benin, is a specialist in public policy and governance. At this meeting, Rosuel Lima-Pereira, Vice-President for International Relations at the University of French Guiana, represented Martine Sebelouë, the acting rector of the University of French Guiana.
The discussions served to reaffirm a shared commitment: to continue and strengthen cooperation between French Guiana and Benin. This covers several areas, notably higher education, research, health, cultural heritage and academic mobility.
A university partnership that has been in place for several years
Relations between French Guiana and Benin did not begin with this meeting. The University of French Guiana has maintained academic and scientific links with partners in Benin for several years. The meeting on 21 September 2026 is therefore part of an established process.
A framework agreement with the University of Abomey-Calavi, in place since 2018, has in particular enabled the development of several collaborative projects. These focus on tangible and intangible heritage, intercultural societies and transatlantic exchanges.
These themes create shared areas of research between the two regions. They also enable a cross-fertilisation of scientific perspectives on heritage, societies and the flows of people and ideas that have shaped relations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Monique Blérald and the MINEA laboratory at the heart of the discussions
This initiative owes much to the efforts of Monique Blérald, a university lecturer. She has played an active role in organising exchanges between the University of French Guiana and its Beninese partners, particularly through the activities of the MINEA laboratory.
His commitment has helped to sustain a long-term scientific and academic dialogue. It has also encouraged the emergence of new joint initiatives. Consequently, the relationships forged over the years now provide a foundation for deepening existing cooperation.
The meeting on 21 September therefore served as a reminder of a key point: cooperation between French Guiana and Benin is already based on established relations. The challenge now is to coordinate these relations more effectively and to ensure their continuity.
New perspectives in public health and governance
Dr Benjamin Coovi Dako’s presence helped to identify several new avenues for work. A doctor of political science, he specialises in particular in public policy and health policy. He has also held senior positions within the Beninese civil service.
Furthermore, Dr Benjamin Coovi Dako chairs the Board of Trustees of the National Archives of Benin. His background therefore opens up a number of opportunities for collaboration between the relevant institutions and academic teams.
Discussions focused in particular on public health, governance and public policy. Student and academic mobility is also among the areas being considered for the development of cooperation between French Guiana and Benin.
Cultural heritage and archives as new areas of cooperation
Cultural heritage and archives represent another promising area of focus. The partners could develop projects centred on shared memories, transatlantic exchanges and the promotion of heritage collections.
These perspectives build on the work already carried out in the field of tangible and intangible heritage. They could therefore strengthen the links between scientific research, archival conservation and the transmission of knowledge.
In this context, Dr Benjamin Coovi Dako’s experience at the National Archives of Benin ties in directly with several themes already present in academic cooperation between French Guiana and Benin.
Ensuring the long-term future of the French Guiana–Benin partnership
For the University of French Guiana, this partnership is fully in line with its policy of international engagement. In particular, the university aims to promote student and staff mobility between the different territories.
The University of French Guiana also intends to encourage joint research projects, doctoral collaborations and the sharing of expertise in areas of mutual interest. These various initiatives should help to strengthen existing academic and scientific ties.
The meeting on 21 September 2026 thus marks a new stage in a long-standing cooperation. It confirms the shared commitment to making the partnership between French Guiana and Benin a sustainable forum for training, research, the exchange of knowledge and institutional cooperation.
The meeting on 21 September 2026 reaffirms the commitment to strengthening the long-standing cooperation between French Guiana and Benin. Higher education, research, public health, heritage, archives and mobility are all key areas for development. The University of French Guiana now wishes to establish these exchanges on a long-term basis, notably through joint projects and doctoral collaborations. Keep an eye on upcoming initiatives to find out more about future developments in this academic and scientific partnership.
- Source: Université de Guyane – Read the full article University of French Guiana: cooperation between French Guiana and Benin is growing stronger.
