Report on the meeting to present the review of the Strategic Plan on December 20, 2023 and message from Stewart as he leaves the Institut Pasteur

On December 20, a meeting to present the review of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan was held in the CIS auditorium and also online via Teams. A few days before the end of his term, this was an opportunity for Stewart Cole to share the review with staff, discuss the main achievements of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and identify some key challenges for the Institut Pasteur's future.

Led by the unique musical touch of Led Zepplin, Stewart Cole began by describing the context in which the Strategic Plan was developed. He then gave a more detailed assessment of how the Institut Pasteur's financial performance had been able to serve its scientific ambitions in terms of making the best use of resources and assets; he focused on the promotion of innovation (expertise, incentive schemes, innovation accelerator, project maturation, etc.) and emphasized the need to diversify fundraising methods, with a special mention for the capital campaign. Stewart Cole also chose to draw attention to the new momentum given to the Pasteur Network, partnerships at national and international level, and efforts to open up to society.

Following the addresses from Stewart Cole, several scientists took to the floor in pairs, each pair speaking about one of the strategic priorities of the Strategic Plan as well as the Cancer Initiative, from the perspective of both eyewitnesses and those directly affected. The round table looked at goals, challenges, organizational aspects, future prospects and inspiring examples of research. The speakers were:

•    For Area 1, Emerging infectious diseases: Arnaud Fontanet and Delphine Planas
•    For Area 2, Antimicrobial resistance: Paola Arimondo and Bich-Tram Huynh
•    For Area 3, Brain connectivity and neurodegenerative diseases: Uwe Maskos and Gabriel Lepousez
•    Cancer Initiative: Philippe Bousso and Jean-Baptiste Masson

Each presentation concluded with an open question for Stewart Cole, giving the President the opportunity to share his viewpoint and his predictions regarding the future of science for each area.

The conclusion was given by Stewart Cole, who was keen to emphasize how the Institut Pasteur is continuing to support and invest in dedicated research infrastructures (the Hearing Institute, the Center for Research and Innovation in Human Audiology, the Research Center on Vector-Borne Diseases and the Vaccinology and Immunotherapy Center) and how it is stepping up its commitment to the environment and the future challenges facing research by encouraging young generations of scientists.

Yves Saint-Geours gave the closing address, taking the opportunity to thank Stewart Cole for his dedication throughout his six-year term.

The staff who attended the meeting were then invited to a drinks reception to mark the end of Stewart Cole's term.

Watch the ceremony replay

Video message from Stewart Cole

Just days away from the end of the year and his departure from the Institut Pasteur, Stewart Cole wanted to speak to you in person about how proud he has been to be at the helm of the Institut Pasteur for the past six years.

See his video message