Of the 637 graduates in the Class of 2025, 330 made the trip—often accompanied by their loved ones—to share in this memorable moment. This new generation of researchers embodies the excellence and appeal of the Grenoble ecosystem: 40% of these new PhD graduates are international students, confirming UGA's place among the world's top universities.
  — Pierre Lemonde, Director of the Graduate School at the University of Georgia (UGA)

Spotlight on the 13 dissertation awards: Recognizing the Elite of Research in Grenoble

Selected from among the 637 graduates of UGA’s thirteen doctoral schools, thirteen recipients were honored during committee meetings held on May 4 and 6. These awards recognize not only the scientific excellence of their dissertations, but also their ability to communicate their work to a broader audience and the impact of their research.

The distribution of the awards reflects the major research priorities at UGA:

• 7 academic dissertation awards recognizing excellence in each disciplinary field, as embodied by the university’s doctoral schools and research clusters;
• 3 Interdisciplinary Academic Dissertation Awards for research that promotes openness and spans at least two significantly different doctoral fields;$
• 1 Innovation Thesis Award for the quality of the approach to commercialization and technology transfer to society;
• 1 Innovation Thesis Award for the quality of the approach to commercialization and technology transfer to society from a social perspective;
• 1 Ecological Transformation Thesis Award for an exemplary contribution to ecological transformation, defined as the set of social, economic, technological, cultural, and environmental changes necessary for a sustainable society that respects planetary boundaries.

In addition to their specialized expertise, these young researchers have developed key cross-disciplinary skills (project management, leadership, and commercialization). They are now fully equipped to provide innovative solutions to the challenges facing our society, whether in the business world or in academia.

Science as a bulwark against obscurantism

In a rapidly changing global context, UGA President Yassine Lakhnech used his opening remarks to highlight the crucial societal mission of these new ambassadors of knowledge and the university’s humanistic, social, and environmental values.

— Yassine Lakhnech, president of the UGA

Doctoral programs at UGA: 2,900 doctoral students, 40% of whom are international students.

With approximately 700 doctoral graduates each year, UGA ranks among the leading institutions for doctoral education in France. When this figure is compared to the nearly 14,000 doctoral dissertations defended each year nationwide, UGA alone accounts for about 5 percent of the country’s doctoral graduates.

Outside the Paris region, the UGA competes for the top spots in doctoral education with major institutions such as the University of Lorraine and Aix-Marseille University.

While the national average for international doctoral students in France is around 38 percent, UGA has a higher rate, with 40 percent of its doctoral students coming from abroad (representing approximately 150 nationalities). This demonstrates that the Grenoble research cluster has a very strong global presence, largely driven by its reputation in international rankings.

Finally, UGA boasts an employment rate of over 93% 36 months after graduation, and it consistently ranks first among European universities in patent filings at the national level, demonstrating that its PhD graduates make a significant contribution to the economy and innovation ecosystem. According to a recent study by the European Patent Office (EPO), the University of Grenoble Alpes stands out as one of the top-performing European universities in terms of female doctoral students’ participation in innovation and patent filing activities. This recognition underscores the role of universities in fostering a new generation of female inventors.

Watch the ceremony on YouTube