Akihiko Nishio, Vice President of the World Bank, studied at UCO's Centre International d'Études Françaises (CIDEF) in 1981-1982. Returning to the Angers campus on December 19, 2024, he exchanged views with international teachers and students before hosting a conference on the role of the World Bank in development financing.

Now based in Washington D.C., he oversees resource mobilization for theInternational Development Association (IDA) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), with one goal: to end extreme poverty and foster sustainable prosperity.

During his visit, he shared his experience and invaluable advice on joining international institutions. "UCO was the starting point of my international career", he confided, underlining the impact of his time at the university.