Est. 1min 02-08-2007 (updated: 28-05-2012 ) amphitheater.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The government has suceeded in passing a bill that opens university funding and human resources to business, following EU recommendations last year to give researchers and students more financial autonomy and boost entrepreneurial spirit. The reform was introduced amid strong opposition from students’ and teachers’ unions. A controversial law aimed at granting more autonomy to French universities, presented on 24 May by the Minister for Research and Higher Education, Valérie Pécresse, (EURACTIV 8/06/07) was adopted by the French parliament on 1 August 2007. The reform, to be implemented over the next five years, aims to: Grant universities more autonomy to decide their budget and staff, allowing universities to create foundations to collect money and put in place their own recruitment processes; Give universities more competence in opening their administration to external staff, allowing for example representatives of the business world to take part in university governance; Strengthen the state’s legal control. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters PositionsThe European University Association (EAU) said it welcomed the move to give French universities more autonomy as "a critical aspect of higher education reform." "If we don't decide who to employ, and what to spend our money on, universities are never going to be able to change," said EUA secretary general Lesley Wilson. The French Academy of Sciences fully supports the reform, as it believes that it will help universities deliver more highly qualified people. The association of presidents of universities, the 'Conférence des Présidents d'Université' (CPU), welcomes the text adopted by the French Parliament but urges the adoption of a financial framework in order to formalise the government's commitments and implement the different frameworks proposed. However, according to a group of 25 trade unions and associations, including the French association of researchers "Sauvons la Recherche", teachers' and students' unions, the reform would "lead to the unequal development of universities due to the race for funding and the disengagement of the State". In the end of July, the group asked the government to drop its plans on university reform. According to the French Science Trade Union (SNCS), the text does not consider the needs of universities in the research area. In particular, the possibility of proposing short-term contracts to researchers contradicts the nature of research activity, it argues. Valérie Pecresse, the Higher Education Minister said that she is fully satisfied with the adopted text and welcomes the French Prime Minister François Fillon's announcement of a 5% increase in the budget for higher education and research. BackgroundIn May 2006, the Commission issued a Communication making detailed recommendations on how to modernise higher education in Europe. In its most contested suggestion, the report urged member states to give universities more autonomy and accountability and encouraged governments to "open up [universities] to the business community". Communications do not lead to EU legislative proposals. They are instead aimed at giving a signal for reform and showing how the Commission can support member states' efforts through the 'open method of co-ordination' or via specific EU-funded programmes. Timeline 31 May 2007: Launch of the Consultation on higher education reform. 1 Aug. 2007: Final adoption by Parliament. 2007-2012: Transition period for universities to reform and move towards increased autonomy in financial and human resources. Further ReadingEU official documents Commission:Higher education and the Lisbon Strategy Commission:Comunication: Delivering on the modernisation agenda for universities: education, research and innovation FR FR DE Governments Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (Speech):Projet de loi relatif aux libertés et responsabilités des universités(23 July 2007) Conseil des Ministres:Projet de loi relatif aux libertés des universités(4 July 2007) Business & Industry Syndicat National des Chercheurs scientifiques:Universités: Un projet de loi dans la continuité de "Pacte pour la recherche"(28 June 2007) Inter syndicale Enseignement Supérieur-Recherche:Loi sur les Universités: Conférence de Presse du 23 Juillet 2007 Press articles Le Monde:Le projet de réforme des universités a été définitivement adopté par le Parlement(1 August 2007) Le Monde:Université : les syndicats enseignants mobilisent d'autres organisations contre la loi(24 July 2007) Non-assigned links Académie des sciences:Communiqué de l'Académie des sciences sur la reforme de l'Université(3 July 2007) Conférence des Présidents d'Université (CPU):La CPU satisfaite de l'adoption de la loi relative aux libertés et responsabilité des universités(26 July 2007)
