Session
✅ Included for all participants
This session will explore how universities in neighbouring regions in Europe navigate the paradox of proximity – where borders both connect and challenge collaboration. Through examples from European border regions, we will examine whether cross-border partnerships can redefine the scale, rhythm and meaning of internationalisation in higher education.
Laurent Cavaignac is Associate Professor in Economics at the University of Perpignan Via Domitia, within the Department of Business Management of the Institute of Technology, and currently serves as Vice-President of the University of Perpignan Via Domitia in charge of international and cross-border relations. He also heads the ACROSS European university alliance for Perpignan, sitting on its Executive Board as work package co-leader and task team leader.
His research expertise spans microeconomics, transport and health economics, productivity and efficiency analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis, and distance functions, reflected in numerous peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Operations Research and Economic Modelling.
Dr. Cavaignac earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Perpignan in 2007 (Summa Cum Laude, Publication Award), following master's degrees in Health Economics (Paris VII) and in Statistics and Econometrics (Toulouse School of Economics). Prior to academia, he worked as a statistician and economist for the French Ministry of Health and the French National Health Insurance System.
Within the university, he previously served as Vice-President for professional integration (2021–2025) and as Head of the Departments of Business Management and Business Techniques.
