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

Spotlight on the 13 Thesis Prizes: Recognizing the cream of the crop in Grenoble’s research community

Selected from among the 637 graduates of UGA’s thirteen doctoral schools, thirteen recipients were honored during panels 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 awards reflects the major research priorities at UGA:

• 7 Academic Thesis Awards recognizing excellence within each disciplinary field, as embodied by the university’s doctoral schools and research clusters;
• 3 Interdisciplinary academic Thesis Awards for research that promotes openness and spans at least two significantly different doctoral specializations;$
• 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 transfer to society from a social perspective;
• 1 Ecological Transformation Thesis Award for an exemplary contribution to ecological transformation, understood 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 transferable 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 barrier against obscurantism

Against a changing global environment, UGA President Yassine Lakhnech used his opening speech to highlight the crucial societal mission of these new ambassadors of knowledge and the university’s humanist, social and environmental values.

— Yassine Lakhnech, President of UGA

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

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

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

While the national average for international PhD students in France is around 38%, UGA has a higher rate, with 40% of its PhD students coming from abroad (representing approximately 150 nationalities). This demonstrates that the Grenoble research cluster has a very strong global reputation, largely driven by its standing 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 are making a significant contribution to the economy and innovation. 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 PhD students’ participation in innovation and patent filing activities. This recognition highlights the role of universities in fostering a new generation of female inventors.

Watch the Ceremony on YouTube