Montréal named 10th best student city in the world British firm Quacquarelli Symonds Limited (QS), which specializes in higher education information, announced its Best Student Cities in the World 2012 ranking in February. Montréal was ranked 10th in the world, 2nd in North America and 1st in Canada, outranking cities like Barcelona, Tokyo, New York and Amsterdam.

Launch of Tivi5Monde in the United States On January 26, 2012, global digital French-language network TV5MONDE and Dish Network LLC launched the first ever French-language channel called "Tivi5MONDE" devoted to children’s programming in the U.S.

Québec demonstrates its know-how at Davos World Economic Forum Québec Premier Jean Charest and the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Sam Hamad, gave a positive report of their mission to Davos, Switzerland from January 25 to 28 in conjunction with the annual World Economic Forum.

Québec’s Monsieur Lahzar nominated for OSCAR Monsieur Lahzar, a drama by Québec filmmaker Philippe Falardeau, has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language film category.

Starbuck wins the Audiance Award in Palm Springs

Recognition for promoting foreign productions On behalf Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, the Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Michelle Courchesne, the Minister responsible for Government Administration, Chair of the Conseil du Trésor and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, presented the 2011 Hector-Fabre Award to the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision Argenteuil-Laurentides (BCTAL) for promoting the Laurentides region in Québec, Canada and abroad as an attractive place for film, television and commercial productions.

Québec films at the Santa Barbara Film Festival Six films from Québec will be screened at the 27th edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival held from January 26 to February 5, 2012.

AIEQ bursaries for French instruction Bursaries for teaching French to non-French speakers are granted to instructors, authors and students through the Association internationale des études québécoises (AIEQ) and a donation from Anne-Marie Boucher. Projects submitted by applicants must be aimed at increasing awareness of Québec, its culture and its literature through the teaching of French. Applications must be filed with AIEQ by February 21, 2012.

Quebec Films at Sundance Film Festival Monsieur Lazhar, Bestiaire, China Heavyweight and Surveillant will be screened at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, which will be held from January 19 to 29, in Park City, Utah

Starbuck wins the Audience Award in Palm Springs Starbuck, a film by Québec filmmaker Ken Scott, captured top honours by winning the Audience Award during the closing ceremony of the 23th Palm Springs International Film Festival on Sunday 15 in California.

New York Governor in favour of an “energy highway” with Québec On January 4, the Governor of New York, Andrew M. Cuomo, expressed his desire to build an “energy highway” linking Québec’s power generation installations with consumer markets in Downstate New York, including New York City. The Governor delivered this message in the traditional State of the State address in Albany, the state capital, before assembled legislators and members of the public.

Quebec films at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Café de Flore, Monsieur Lazhar, Nuit #1, Starbuck and The Salesman will be screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which will be held from January 5 to 16, 2012.

Traces from the circus Les 7 Doigts de la Main in Time Magazine's Top Ten ! TIME Magazine has named TRACES among the Top Ten Plays and Musicals of the Year.

New prize for the best tour across Canada and the United States The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) has just announced that, beginning in 2012, it will award the Prix pour la meilleure tournée au Canada et aux États-Unis to an organization that stood out by the exceptional quality of a tour across Canada or the United States or both. This new biennial prize, which comes with a $10,000 cheque, will be presented at the Bourse RIDEAU event in February 2012.

World Beer Awards, Quebec breweries take 10 prizes home ! Congratulations to Québec brewers and micro-brewers!! Breweries and micro-breweries from Québec won 10 awards at the prestigious World Beer Awards 2011.

Minister meets new U.S. Consul General in Montréal Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, met recently with the new U.S. Consul General in Montréal, Andrew Charles Parker.

Québec – U.S. relations: New York State Senator Malcolm Smith visits Québec Discussions on the development of high-speed rail links between Québec and the United States continued on November 28 when Québec Premier Jean Charest received a visit from New York State Senator Malcolm Smith. Minister of Transport Pierre Moreau and Québec Delegate General in New York John Parisella accompanied the Premier at the meeting.

Québec/ California institutional collaboration: Water Access for Poverty Alleviation in Africa The Québec Government Office in Los Angeles linked the world renowned Art Center College of Design of Pasadena and the Department of Design of Université de Montréal to working together on the issue of water access in Africa.

Premier Charest receives Woodrow Wilson Award Québec Premier Jean Charest received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service during a ceremony held in Montréal.

First Fulbright Chair in Québec Studies in the U.S. The first chair in Québec Studies in the United States was inaugurated at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh (SUNY) on October 17. The Fulbright chair will be housed at the only research centre in the U.S. devoted to Québec studies. The new program will enable SUNY-Plattsburg to host a scholar from Québec each year for the next five years.