The Franco-Uruguayan Institute of Mathematics and Interactions, a scientific bridge between the two countries
Located in Montevideo, the Franco-Uruguayan Institute of Mathematics and Interactions (IFUMI), commonly known as the Del Plata Laboratory, reflects the rich history of mathematical relations between France and Uruguay. In October 2024, it celebrated not only its 15th anniversary, but also the signing of its new status as an International Research Laboratory (IRL) of the CNRS. Interview with Françoise Dal'Bo, director of IFUMI, who looks back at the history of this laboratory and its plans for the future.
A strong historical bond between France and Uruguay, fertile ground for international collaboration
Relations between France and Uruguay date back to the creation of the country on the Rio de la Plata estuary, a strategic point that many countries, including France, coveted in the 19th century. A very large French population then emigrated to the American continent. The Franco-Uruguayan poet and writer Jules Supervielle, born in Montevideo, bears witness to these strong relations between the two countries through his writings.
As for mathematics, the existing dynamic took root in the 1970s and 1980s, in a difficult historical context “that must be talked about,” according to Françoise Dal'Bo. “Uruguayan mathematicians were imprisoned during this period, and French colleagues mobilized to obtain their release,” she says. “France supported the community by welcoming several Uruguayan students. Mario Wschebor, in particular, was trained by Jean-Pierre Kahane in Orsay. He was one of the founders and the first director of IFUMI. ” These initial relationships laid the foundations for a rich and lasting academic dialogue that continues today.
In 2009, under the impetus of Mario Wschebor and of Claude Cibils, the foundations were laid for what would become IRL IFUMI. The institutional support of the CNRS, combined with the commitment of Uruguayan researchers, made it possible to transform this initiative into a structured and ambitious project.
In 2024, the laboratory obtained the status of International Research Laboratory, a victory according to Françoise Dal'Bo. Remarkably, the signed agreement is tripartite between the CNRS, the University of the Republic and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay. “Obtaining IRL status alongside the IRLs of Brazil and Chile has been a long road. Patrice Le Calvez, Rafaël Potrie and so many others worked hard, supported by the Uruguayan Minister of Education and Culture, to convince that excellence was there despite a smaller size,” she explains. The creation of this RLI marks the beginning of a new stage, aimed at anchoring scientific exchanges even more firmly in a sustainable framework.
Françoise Dal'Bo, director of IFUMI
Françoise Dal'Bo is a French mathematician specializing in ergodic geometry, a university professor, and a member of the Institut de Recherche Mathématique de Rennes (IRMAR)1 . She began visiting Uruguay as part of a collaboration with Uruguayan researcher Matilde Martinez. A discovery of the country that she describes as “a shock both from a scientific and a human point of view”. She became director of the institute in January 2024, alongside Uruguayan director Rafaël Potrie.
- 1CNRS/ENS RENNES/INSA RENNES/UNIV RENNES/UNIV RENNES 2
An inauguration under the sign of history, mathematics and human relations
From October 28 to November 1, 2024, the laboratory celebrated not only its 15th anniversary but also its official inauguration as an IRL. For Françoise Dal'Bo, this ceremony was not only an opportunity to recall the history of the laboratory, intrinsically linked to that of the country, but also to focus on the meetings. “We were keen to give the floor to Uruguayan mathematicians, who had experienced exile in the 1980s. It was a very powerful moment, a meeting with the roots of our network, which have given it wings,” she recalls. Five days of celebration, two of which were entirely devoted to mathematics, which highlighted the richness of the scientific relations between Uruguay and France, but also with the rest of the American continent.
Testimonials | Inauguration of the Franco-Uruguayan Institute of Mathematics and Interactions
From October 28 to November 1, 2024, the Franco-Uruguayan Institute for Mathematics and Interactions celebrated its 15th anniversary, as well as its inauguration as an International Research Laboratory (IRL) of the CNRS.
Video credits: Alexis Noquet.
Audiodescription
Ahead of the inauguration, researchers from the Del Plata laboratory met with students from the French Lycée Jules Supervielle in Montevideo to lead workshops on their perception of mathematics through drawings, texts or objects. These creations were exhibited during the event, illustrating the importance that the IRL places on its links with young people, an area that its director would like to develop in the future.
Testimony of Peter Haïssinsky, director of the Institut de mathématiques de Marseille
It was with great pleasure that I was able to attend the scientific inauguration of the del Plata laboratory, the Franco-Uruguayan IRL of Insmi, which follows on from the LIA “IFUMI”.
To witness such a story, which only reinforces scientific collaborations, is absolutely exhilarating and gives hope for the future! Although the links between the two communities are long-standing, the LIA was built around three axes (algebra and algebraic geometry, probability and statistics, and dynamical systems). The IRL now covers six (with the addition of groups and geometry, computer science and foundations, and image processing). The presentations were of high quality and showcased research of the highest level. This demonstrates the great success of this project and we can only predict that new areas will develop within it.
Beyond these themes, it is the mathematicians who make up the project who make us proud: all generations, from the emeritus at the source of this project to the youngest who will keep it alive, gather around the same asado to share and develop mathematics, with a succession assured so that our collaborations will endure.
Even if the creation of an IRL is a political act, it embodies a state of affairs of collaboration, mutual aid and scientific sharing! To see that these humanist values, which for some of us drew us to this profession, remain driving forces despite the competitive pressures that are being imposed on us, is a true source of satisfaction and achievement.
A laboratory focused on the future and international relations as well as multidisciplinary relations
“The multidisciplinary aspect is very important to us. This new status will enable us to strengthen relations between mathematicians from both countries, but also to emphasize multidisciplinary collaborations,” explains Françoise Dal'Bo.