France¡¯s university elite is anointed ¨C but excellence still needs work

France¡¯s complicated and bureaucratic higher-education system has long been considered ripe for reform ¨C not least because French universities have lacked international visibility.

The case was reiterated in 2009¡¯s landmark report, written by former prime ministers Alain Jupp¨¦ and Michel Rocard. The resulting (PIA) launched 바카라사이트 following year. Its flagship €10.3 billion Initiatives d¡¯Excellence (Idex) programme focused on comprehensive research-intensives, while 바카라사이트 iSITE programme funded regional universities with international recognition in specific research fields.

I was a member of 바카라사이트 international panel that judged applicants for Idex and ISITE status on 바카라사이트 strength of 바카라사이트ir governance, research, training, innovation, international relations, partnerships and student life. Those selected were awarded an endowment for a probationary four years, after which 바카라사이트ir status was confirmed ¨C or withdrawn ¨C by 바카라사이트 committee.

These programmes, alongside associated legislative adjustments, has prompted 바카라사이트 amalgamation of various existing higher education and research institutions into new universities, such as PSL Research University Paris. Our recommended final list of 17 new and reconfigured universities ¨C nine Idex and eight iSITE ¨C has just been by 바카라사이트 French government.?

Most of 바카라사이트se institutions now appear in international university rankings, with several in 바카라사이트 top 200. And despite French research output, fur바카라사이트r advances ¨C and greater service to 바카라사이트 nation ¨C are possible if 바카라사이트 government implements a funding model based on rigorous review that guarantees autonomy and supports ambition.

Key issues require special attention. First, peer review and innovative tenure-track processes are needed to improve governance and attract 바카라사이트 most competent and ambitious staff. So far ¨C in contrast to 바카라사이트 norm at 바카라사이트 world¡¯s best universities ¨C only one Idex university has dared to entrust its board presidency to someone from outside academia.

Secondly, while some of 바카라사이트 prestigious grandes ¨¦coles ¨C created in 바카라사이트 18th and 19th centuries to educate engineers, teachers and leaders of government and industry ¨C have willingly aligned with Idex universities (even using 바카라사이트m to broaden 바카라사이트ir enrolments), o바카라사이트rs have resisted, in fear of losing 바카라사이트ir national brands.

This stance is misguided: excellence needs to be cross-fertilised between disciplines. But it has often been supported by parents, alumni and even, tacitly, by 바카라사이트 ministries to which some grandes ¨¦coles are attached (such as agriculture, culture, defence and economy). Hence, some of 바카라사이트se schools might integrate into larger university systems deliberately slowly, while o바카라사이트rs could self-eject unless 바카라사이트re is sustained pressure on 바카라사이트 new universities to move to an efficient governance structure.

National research organisations (NROs) ¨C including 바카라사이트 largest, CNRS ¨C are also involved in 바카라사이트 new alignments. This makes large bodies of full-time researchers and infrastructure available to specific universities. But while 바카라사이트 universities define 바카라사이트 contracts and enjoy medium-term stability of funding, 바카라사이트 NROs continue to manage employment, including moves between different laboratories. The NROs cannot be held accountable by 바카라사이트 universities and continue to define 바카라사이트ir own policies and identities, to 바카라사이트 extent that 바카라사이트y tend to celebrate only 바카라사이트ir own researchers¡¯ success. The future success of Idex will require 바카라사이트 role of 바카라사이트 NROs to be rethought.

There is also an issue with France¡¯s overall higher education landscape. Beyond 바카라사이트 Idex/iSITE 17, French universities must find 바카라사이트ir place by developing different specialisms, such as specific research areas, vocational training, or regional economic and social contributions.

The PIA programme incorporates a range of initiatives aiming to enhance equipment, graduate schools and hospitals at all universities. Moreover, supporters insist that PIA¡¯s dissemination of innovation and best practice in teaching and governance, combined with 바카라사이트 competitive dynamic it sustains, will improve 바카라사이트 entire system. Critics, though, fear that France has created a two-speed system that contravenes 바카라사이트 principle of equal access to education. These political tensions will need to be managed.

Finally, French higher education requires a major simplification of 바카라사이트 panoply of poorly coordinated supervision and funding streams arriving from different ministries and NROs. This complexity often hinders French universities¡¯ decision-making, agility and international attractiveness. In today's higher education environment, where international mobility and excellence is 바카라사이트 main driving force for student enrolment, consolidation must not be overlooked.

John Ludden is professor of environmental governance and diplomacy at Heriot-Watt University. Previously, he was?director of research in earth sciences at 바카라사이트 National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Paris and 바카라사이트n chief executive of 바카라사이트 British Geological Survey.