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Esprit 12/2007
12/2007
Universités: vers quelle autonomie?
A contest between two types of growth
Reform, the right and the left wings
Still reeling under the shock of having several of its leaders poached for official positions by president Sarkozy, France's Socialist party is at pains to come up with a substantial critique of the new government's economic policies, effectively leaving this political debate to extreme-left parties and their outdated, blind faith in a "convergence of combats". For all these shortcomings, a number of reforms deserve either serious debate or enlightened appropriation or re-interpretation. A good example is the type of critique that can be leveled at the current, controversial reform of universities.
FRENCH UNIVERSITIES: WHAT TYPE OF AUTONOMY?
Introduction. An unexpected rehabilitation of University within the higher education sphere
A multi-layered population
Tentative remarks on student demographics
French students: who are they? This commentary on the main available data sheds light on the motivations behind their demands, their vocational strategies and plans for the future, as well as on the persistence of inequalities.GOVERNING UNIVERSITY: THE ONGOING DYNAMICS
Tours' expanding university
This survey of a French provincial university that eludes media attention sheds light on the typical strengths and weaknesses of French universities. Although Tours University keeps growing, will it be able to make the most of an "autonomous" status that ought not to benefit just the better-known institutions?
French higher education in search of a university model
The lessons from Paris-Est University
The lessons from Paris-Est University
How can a small, under-funded, professional university on the outskirts of Paris like Marne-la-Vallée make the most of its location and surroundings? Joining efforts with the Academy of Civil Engineering to set up Paris-Est, one of the very first "higher education and research pools" (PRES), came as a display of a "pioneering" spirit that is a far cry from the supposed resigned mood among French academic institutions.
The Paris Institute of Political Studies: An international school or a university?
'Sciences-Po' does not want to become a "grande école"! (i.e., an elitist, independent, specialist institution). This strategy can be somewhat surprising. And yet it is derived from an awareness of the need to become more international: in order to secure an international reputation in the future, it is better to take university for a model. This lies behind current linkages in Europe and beyond, in a deliberate bid to open up to the world.
Global challenges and university traditions. Cross-European comparisons
Countries across Europe are in search of better structures for their respective universities. Regardless of the wide variety of academic systems, vast reforms are under way for more decentralised decision-making. How does France feature in this general trend?
A strategy for Paris's universities
What is the Paris University going to look like in 10 years' time? Various plans are afoot to bring closer or federate a number of universities which so far have been all-too keen to affirm their specific features. After a review of how university grew then became fragmented in Paris over the course of history, one can figure out how today's separate institutions can restore some multi-disciplinary areas.
Strasbourg as a model for academic mergers
In several French towns and cities, universities are considering closer ties or outright mergers. Why? Strasbourg owes the strong specific features of its own university to age-old rivalries between Protestants and Catholics as well as to its subsequent dominance by Germany (right across the river); against this background, the prospect of a merger between its academic institutions appears as a necessary factor in the local dynamic of higher education.
Academic recruitment and its dilemmas
Philosophy as an example
Philosophy as an example
Recruitment is a hot topic and a seedbed of academic contradictions. Although France's current system is abhorred by all, the fear of overpowering university chairs under a more autonomous regime is already causing unrest. Having long chaired a specialist committee, the author draws a tightly argued, uncompromising picture of recruitment problems.
Autonomy: Unrestrained competition, or republican elitism?
Should the much-expected reform of French university have started with granting a more autonomous status? Against the many university chairs writing in this issue, the author makes a plea for an alternative reform: instead of favouring a few outstanding institutions under the cover of autonomy, one should maintain an open competition that would leave their chances to the larger number.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY
University at the core of the knowledge economy
Why is university suddenly becoming a general focus of attention? Because the new economy currently in the making presupposes a well-qualified workforce and a significant potential for innovation. In this new dispensation, spatial concentration as provided by academic pools will play a predominant role in the dynamics of exchange and innovation.
Higher education, research and innovation: What type of institution?
Although France supports research in much the same way as other same-sized countries, it is unique insofar as the resulting benefits are comparatively meagre. In order to tackle a relative decrease in her capacity for innovation, France could do better than call for additional government funding. The country's peculiar situation lies in the weakness of private sector research. Therefore the real issue is about the overall structure of research and the linkages between the public and the private sectors.
The future of research in France
In France research is carried out either within dedicated organisations (CNRS, CEA (nuclear physics), INSERM (medicine), INRA (agronomics), etc.) or in universities. Does this division of labour continue to make sense today? Is it the source of any specific handicap? This controversy over fundamental research, assessment and beneficial end-uses of research achievements looks beyond professional issues, outlining the collective choices that are called for by any public policy on research.
Those young French maths aces who opted for the City of London
French higher education retains some specific areas of excellence. The problem is that some of our top, sough-after graduates often fail to find adequate jobs in research or in attractive sectors. By contrast, London has been able to benefit from young mathematicians trained in a specialist, Paris-based institution. Who are these young people who cannot see any future in France?