Education in Luxembourg: “The University of Luxembourg is the best investment of the last twenty years”
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Education in Luxembourg“The University of Luxembourg is the best investment of the last twenty years”
ESCH-BELVAL – Arrived at the head of the University of Luxembourg in 2017. Stéphane Pallage’s mandate is coming to an end. It’s time to take stock.
You recovered your career in Belgium, then in Canada. How did you land in Luxembourg?
Stéphane Pallage, rector of the university: I am of Belgian origin. I studied in Liège before doing my doctorate in the United States then I obtained a professorship at the University of Quebec in Montreal where I remained for 22 years. I was the dean of the school of management sciences. I received many emails from professors at the Uni encouraging me to submit my application. What I have done.
Did your family follow you to Luxembourg?
Our three children were already grown when we decided to leave. They were very happy that the parents went to explore another continent by letting them live in Canada. It went moderately well. With the Covid, it was difficult to come back frequently. This is one of the reasons why, with my wife, we chose to return to Canada.
What image did you receive of the country before your arrival?
I think the last time I came to Luxembourg was in 1982. There was no university, no Philharmonie, no tram. The country has changed dramatically with great economic diversity but also at the cultural level. And the university created by Erna Hennicot-Shoepges is, in my opinion, the best investment for the country in the last twenty years.
What will you remember from these five years?
People really impressed me. Luxembourg is welcoming, pragmatic, open. It is the country where there is the largest proportion of resident foreigners, where life is really good. We leave in receipt of very many friends.
What achievement at the University are you most proud of?
The University of Luxembourg is above all a team. What makes me very proud is that human resources have increased dramatically in five years, mainly in teaching and research. The university has also improved academically. We have developed a lot of new things, especially the medical curriculum. For me, a rector with an economics background, that was probably the biggest challenge. Health is not only medicine but also nursing with training that will begin next September.
How was the transition to your successor, Jens Kreisel?
The new rector, Jens Kreisel, is someone I had personally chosen as vice-rector for research. He did a fabulous job in that. He’s a friend with whom I’ve had a lot of fun working with over the years. Obviously, when his name came out a few months ago as a successor, we agreed to work together in a very, very friendly way. The transition was absolutely remarkable in every way.
Will you keep a link with the university and with Mr. Kreisel?
I will be, all my life, great ambassador of the University of Luxembourg all over the world. I would love to come back as often as possible. And of course I will keep very close contact with Jens Kreisel. I know there are 20th anniversary festivities in 2023. I think this will be the first opportunity for me to return and I will do so with great joy.
What are you going to do from 1uh January ?
I have a small idea, but nothing concrete yet. I think I’ll start by taking a little vacation. It will do me the greatest good. Get back on my feet here in Quebec, go skating on the rivers, dream and write a lot over the next few weeks. But of course you hear about me with an announcement. The University is a world that I love, I have spent a large part of my life there. It is certain that I would very much like to continue my career in a university.
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