Jiyuu-Hugo Sarrade Scholarship
Applications must be submitted by February 3, 2017.
Application form – Hugo Sarrade Scholarship
"Jiyuu" means "Freedom" in Japanese. This scholarship was created in January 2016 on the initiative of Stéphane Sarrade in memory of his son Hugo, a 23-year-old victim of the attacks that struck France on November 13, 2015.
Worth €5,000, this scholarship supports a student wishing to undertake an internship in Japan with the aim of enriching their scientific training. It is open to students enrolled at the Faculty of Sciences in Montpellier, either in a scientific master's program (in any field) or at the Polytech engineering school.
Scholarship recipient selection process / Timeline
The application file mustinclude a cover letter in which candidates explain:
=> why this internship,
=> why Japan,
=> how this internship ties in with their studies,
=> the student's career plans.
This cover letter will be decisive in selecting the winner of the Jiyuu – Hugo Sarrade Scholarship.
The application form must be completed and sent before February 3, 2017, to the following email address:fds.affgen@umontpellier.fr
Incomplete or incorrectly completed applications will not be processed.
Candidates will be selected in February 2017 by a jury composed of:
Stéphane Sarrade, father of Hugo, himself a former student of Polytech Montpellier and the Faculty of Sciences of Montpellier,
Gilles Halbout, President of COMUE,
Serge Pravosoudovich, Director of Polytech,
Jean-Parick Respaut, Vice-President of the University of Montpellier, in charge of training and university life,
A representative of the ParisTech Foundation.
On Thursday, February 23, 2017, candidates will be informed of the jury's conclusions:
Students whose applications have been accepted, provided they supply proof of their internship in Japan,
Those whose applications have not been accepted.
The jury's decisions are final.
Date of scholarship award to be determined
Portrait of Hugo Sarrade
Hugo Sarrade was a Master's student in Computer Science at the Faculty of Sciences in Montpellier and intended to pursue research in the field of artificial intelligence. He was particularly fond of Japan, a country he knew well and where he hoped to complete his thesis.
Hugo Sarrade was fascinated by this country, which promotes the natural coexistence of technology and culture, with respect for others and the community.
Hugo Sarrade believed that innovation arises from exposure to other areas of knowledge and different technological approaches.
Alexandra Vinchent, winner of the first scholarship, shares her experience with us.
Interview with Alexandra Vinchent, winner of the First Jiyuu-Hugo Sarrade Scholarship – 2016 – Internship completed at the Kyoto Institute for Chemical Research from April to June 2016
– "Hello Alexandra, you are the winner of the first Jiyuu-Hugo Sarrade Scholarship, which enabled you to complete your first-year internship for your Master's degree in Science and Digital Technology for Health at the Kyoto Institute for Chemical Research from April to June 2016. Can you tell us about this experience?"
Answer: It was a truly enriching experience that I have fond memories of! I was integrated into a research laboratory and supervised by a wonderful sensei (tutor in Japanese). During the week, my working hours were fairly flexible and mirrored those of my colleagues: I would arrive between 10 and 11 a.m., work, and attend seminars in English or Japanese. In the evening, I would have dinner with my colleague Winnie around 6 or 7 p.m. and then go back to work until 9 or 10 p.m. On weekends, I was able to visit Kyoto and other Japanese cities—Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kurama, and Tokyo—with other young people I met there. The atmosphere was really friendly throughout my stay: we went out together very often, immersed ourselves in Japanese culture, prepared convivial meals... The days were very full!
– "What did you get out of your experience?"
Answer: Lots of positive things: new knowledge, new friends, wonderful memories, and above all, a horizon that seems much richer than before!
– "Do you have an anecdote to share with us?"
Answer: During a festival in Kyoto called "Aoi Matsuri," my friends and I decided to wear authentic kimonos. We reserved them online at a shop that rented them out. I didn't expect wearing this garment to be so complicated: we had to wear at least three or four layers of clothing in addition to the kimono. It took an average of one hour to get dressed, including hairstyling! When we arrived at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where the festival was taking place, we were very surprised to see that only a few people were wearing this traditional garment, even though it—along with the yukata—is usually favored by the Japanese during these traditional festivals. Our outfits amused quite a few people, both Japanese and foreigners, who didn't hesitate to take pictures of us! That day remains one of my fondest memories.
– "What are your plans for today?"
Answer: After this experience, I decided to enter the workforce, but I don't rule out going back to school in the future to learn new skills.
I also plan to return to Japan to see my friends and visit other places: my experience really opened my eyes to a magical country that I want to explore even more!
