From October 26 to 31, 2025, a Belgian delegation travelled to Montreal as part of an international mission organised by SynHERA, in partnership with Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) and the CCTT Network (College Centres for Technology Transfer and Social Innovation in Quebec).
This initiative aimed to promote applied research, strengthen collaborations between University Colleges and Quebec stakeholders and identify new opportunities for projects and funding.
A Committed HELHa delegation
HELHa was represented by six members from various departments:
- Pascal Flament, Department of Health and Medical Technologies;
- Perrine Pigeon and Mehdi Gherbi, Department of Arts, Business and Communication;
- Laurence Baclin and Julien Vachaudez, Department of Science, Technology and Life Sciences;
- Éric Nicaise, Department of Education and Social Sciences.
The mission also included Mathilde Fraipont Feron, representing the Office of the Presidency.
Each participant had the opportunity to share their expertise, discover new approaches and explore promising research avenues.
In this regard, Perrine Pigeon shares a particularly strong impression:
“What has struck me most since our arrival is the warmth within our delegation. The friendly, almost family-like atmosphere that prevails throughout the mission, far removed from any sense of competition.”
For his part, Pascal Flament highlights the richness of the content explored during the mission:
“Even though few presentations focused on pedagogy or healthcare, it was fascinating to discover the projects being carried out here, such as the development of a self-sufficient base camp in the Far North. I also visited the TOPMED lab, where we found the same equipment as in our lab in Montignies-sur-Sambre.”
Constructive and inspiring exchanges
Throughout the meetings and visits, the delegation had the opportunity to engage with numerous stakeholders in Quebec’s applied research sector, notably during the CCTT Network Experts’ Workshop, organised under the theme “Shining Together!”. Several HELHa members presented their research projects, including Mehdi Gherbi, who was awarded the jury’s “Special Recognition” prize.
“This is an encouragement for me to continue working on the research I initiated. I was able to test a new idea and I can see that it is gaining momentum.”
The mission was also marked by the launch of the Francophone SynHERA Alliance, through which Canada now joins the Horizon Europe programme.
This alliance aims to accelerate the scientific impact of applied research within the Francophone world, by strengthening collaboration between national networks and facilitating the emergence of multilateral projects.
Participants also took part in MTL Connecte “Montreal’s Digital Week”. This event is dedicated to innovation and new technologies, fostering numerous exchanges on artificial intelligence and applied research.
In this regard, several participants share their experience.
Perrine explains:
“I am amazed by the place Quebec gives to neurodivergent researchers and to those engaged in research serving a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient world. I truly felt at home.”
Pascal Flament, from the healthcare sector, adds: “At Montreal Connect, I had the opportunity to meet the Rector of UQAC, which is active in physiotherapy and occupational therapy. I hope we will be able to establish exchanges involving both students and staff members.”
A mission focused on the future
At the end of this week of meetings and discoveries, the delegation returns with new potential partnerships, notably with the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, concrete project ideas and renewed motivation to continue developing open and collaborative research.
Published on 27 November 2025
HELHa