8th Passerelle University Diploma – Students in exile graduation ceremony
On Monday 26 May 2025, the Salle Multiplex was the venue for the 8th graduation ceremony for the Diplôme Universitaire Passerelle – Étudiants en exil, a celebration of the achievements of 76 students.
The ceremony began with a speech by Éric Heilmann, Dean of the UFR Lettres et Philosophie, before a number of speakers congratulated the graduates and emphasised the importance of this course in the university and social landscape.
They included:
- Sandrine Rousseaux, vice-president responsible for Bachelor’s and Master’s courses at Université Bourgogne Europe
- Hamid El Hassouni, Deputy Mayor of Dijon
- Mathieu Schneider, director of the MEnS network (Migrants in Higher Education)
- Claire Despierres, head of the Passerelle – Students in Exile D.U
They all praised the students’ commitment and perseverance, as well as the special features of this degree, which offers concrete tools for building a future in France, both academically and professionally.
The ceremony was also punctuated by moving testimonials from three former graduates. They shared their experiences prior to exile, their discovery of the D.U Passerelle, and the efforts they have made to rebuild their lives and envisage a professional future in France.
The Diplôme Universitaire Passerelle offers a unique training programme, combining daily French lessons, subject-based teaching, sessions to prepare for future projects and cultural discovery workshops. Its aim is to help students in exile integrate into French-language training courses and provide them with the foundations for a sustainable future in France.
The results of this year’s class illustrate the collective success of the programme:
- 19 students achieved level A2
- 19 achieved level B1
- 38 achieved level B2
This success, celebrated with pride and emotion, is a testament to Université Bourgogne Europe’s commitment to inclusion.
