Reform of French universities
Encyclopedia
The reform of French universities is a vast overhauling of French public higher education system initiated by Nicolas Sarkozy
in 2007. The reforms were held by Minister of Higher Education and Research Valérie Pécresse
, along with Minister of Education Xavier Darcos
, for some reforms only.
The reform concern the management of universities, their funding, statute of teachers and researchers, and protection of students. The main aim of the reforms is to render French universities more competitive at the international level, to improve the situation of students and to address the problem of university failure and youth unemployment, thanks to closest links between university and the labour market.
The reforms included the controversial law LRU, which was first voted on July 2007, two months after Nicolas Sarkozy's election. It gave financial autonomy to the 85 French universities and reinforced the power of their presidents inside the structure.
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
in 2007. The reforms were held by Minister of Higher Education and Research Valérie Pécresse
Valérie Pécresse
Valérie Pécresse is a French politician. She has been deputy of the Yvelines since May 16, 2002, Minister for Higher Education and Research from May 18, 2007 to June 2011 and is currently in charge of the budget as the Minister of the Budget since then...
, along with Minister of Education Xavier Darcos
Xavier Darcos
Xavier Darcos is a French politician, scholar and civil servant currently serving as Minister of Labour.An agrégé professor in literature and general inspector of the National Education system, he has been Mayor of Périgueux, a Senator, and a junior minister in Jean-Pierre Raffarin's...
, for some reforms only.
The reform concern the management of universities, their funding, statute of teachers and researchers, and protection of students. The main aim of the reforms is to render French universities more competitive at the international level, to improve the situation of students and to address the problem of university failure and youth unemployment, thanks to closest links between university and the labour market.
The reforms included the controversial law LRU, which was first voted on July 2007, two months after Nicolas Sarkozy's election. It gave financial autonomy to the 85 French universities and reinforced the power of their presidents inside the structure.