On April 26, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Sociology on Francis Godard, President of Université Paris-Est, which was formed by the merger of Paris 12 University and Marne-la-Vallée University.

The degree conferral ceremony was attended by President Seo Geoseok, other university officials, and about 100 delegates from Université Paris-Est, who congratulated President Godard on receiving the honorary doctorate.

JBNU awarded the honorary doctorate to President Godard in recognition of his stature as a world-renowned scholar in urban sociology and his outstanding contributions to research and education, as well as for his leadership in promoting exchanges between Korea and France and for fostering the spread of Korean popular culture in France.

In particular, since his election in 2007 as president of Marne-la-Vallée University within Université Paris-Est, he has played a major role in concluding an exchange agreement with JBNU and in promoting active collaboration, including personnel exchanges and joint research.

He also opened channels of communication that enabled JBNU students to study at Université Paris-Est and develop into global talents in French studies as well as in IT and the arts and culture.

As a result of these efforts, in 2009 a film produced directly by JBNU students was screened at the world-renowned Louvre Museum and received a standing ovation from the audience.

In 2010, Professor Claire Alby, who visited JBNU together with French students, produced a feature-length documentary about Jeonju that was screened at the 13th Jeonju International Film Festival. The various experiences that the students had at JBNU were also made into video materials and uploaded to YouTube, providing an opportunity to showcase JBNU's excellence and Korea's distinctive cultural sensibility to a global audience.

JBNU expects that conferring the honorary doctorate on President Godard will further promote the spread of Korean popular culture by expanding exchanges with universities and institutions in France and across Europe, and by strengthening close, large-scale cooperation between the two universities.

At the ceremony, President Godard said, "I am deeply honored to receive this meaningful degree from Jeonbuk National University, one of South Korea's most distinguished universities known for its active international exchanges," and added, "I will continue to expand close exchanges and, through this opportunity, do my utmost to contribute, however modestly, to JBNU's advancement as a global university."

In response, President Seo Geoseok said, "Today’s degree embodies the wishes of the JBNU family to honor President Godard, a leader in French higher education who has greatly contributed to the spread of Korean popular culture and to the internationalization of our university," and added, "Now that you are part of the proud JBNU family, we hope you will lend strength and wisdom to help our university leap beyond South Korea to become a world-class institution."

Francis Godard earned his PhD in Sociology from Paris VIII University in 1973. He served as a professor at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and at the University of Nice, and through his analyses of urban and regional regeneration and urban social movements has made significant contributions to social science research in sociology, economics, and political science.

He moved to Université Paris-Est in 2001 and was elected president in 2007. He has been decorated with the Chevalier of the National Order of Merit and the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, and is widely regarded as one of France's foremost university leaders.