FRENCH HIGHER EDUCATIONFRENCH HIGHER EDUCATION : A RENOVATION IN : A RENOVATION IN PROGRESSPROGRESS

JeanJean--Robert PITTERobert PITTEFormer Former President President of Parisof Paris--Sorbonne Sorbonne UniversityUniversity

Member Member of Institut de France (Acadof Institut de France (Acadéémie des Sciences Morales et mie des Sciences Morales et Politiques)Politiques)

France has a long tradition of biFrance has a long tradition of bi--polarization of higher education polarization of higher education institutionsinstitutions : :

Universities Universities and and Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles..

-- UniversitiesUniversities

. . a quasia quasi--monopole in monopole in research, research,

. highly selected professors. highly selected professors

. . butbut not enough subsides, nor relations with not enough subsides, nor relations with enployement enployement marketmarket

. . a french specificitya french specificity: selection of students is forbidden by the law: selection of students is forbidden by the law

-- Grandes Grandes éécolescoles

. highly selective, related with . highly selective, related with employementemployement market market

. for many of them expansive for the users. for many of them expansive for the users

FACTORS OF THIS DUALITYFACTORS OF THIS DUALITY

It started at the end of It started at the end of Ancien Ancien RRéégimegime, , was enforced by French Revolution (1789was enforced by French Revolution (1789--1794) 1794)

and First Empire (Napoleon era). and First Empire (Napoleon era).

nn During this period were founded some During this period were founded some Engineers SchoolsEngineers Schools proving that State is not proving that State is not confident with Universities about formation of its best civil seconfident with Universities about formation of its best civil servants. Except in rvants. Except in medicinemedicine(Montpellier, Lyon, Paris, etc.) and in (Montpellier, Lyon, Paris, etc.) and in lawlaw, universities had, and may be still have too , universities had, and may be still have too theoretical programs, professors, pedagogy. theoretical programs, professors, pedagogy.

nn After Jesuits eviction in 1763, creation of professional schoolsAfter Jesuits eviction in 1763, creation of professional schools was accelerated in order to was accelerated in order to educate with efficiency the future elite.educate with efficiency the future elite.

nn First ones were military schools, as in most european countries,First ones were military schools, as in most european countries, but several ones were but several ones were created in other fields before Revolutioncreated in other fields before Revolution : :

-- ÉÉcole des ingcole des ingéénieursnieurs--constructeurs des vaisseaux royauxconstructeurs des vaisseaux royaux ((Ship Ship building building schoolschool) in ) in 1741, 1741,

-- ÉÉcole dcole d’’Arts Arts et Met Méétierstiers (Arts and manufacturing school) in 1780, (Arts and manufacturing school) in 1780, -- ÉÉcole des Mines de Pariscole des Mines de Paris ((Mining schoolMining school) in 1783. ) in 1783. -- ÉÉcole normale supcole normale supéérieurerieure (officially devoted to educators training, but with a larger (officially devoted to educators training, but with a larger

purpose highly extended in purpose highly extended in XIXth XIXth and and XXth XXth centuries) andcenturies) and-- ÉÉcole polytechniquecole polytechnique (a military school educating also civil engineers) in 1794(a military school educating also civil engineers) in 1794-- and and six schools of pharmacysix schools of pharmacy..

In 1808, Emperor Napoleon creates theIn 1808, Emperor Napoleon creates theUniversitUniversitéé ImpImpéérialeriale

nn with three levelswith three levels : : BaccalaureatBaccalaureat, Licence, , Licence, DoctoratDoctorat..

nn Originally, Originally, BaccalaureatBaccalaureat is organised by universities for the pupils is organised by universities for the pupils of high schools. It allows to of high schools. It allows to registrate registrate in any university without in any university without selection at entrance. selection at entrance.

nn For a long time, there will not be any problem, because the For a long time, there will not be any problem, because the titulars titulars of of BaccalaureatBaccalaureat had evidently had evidently a good levela good level in knowledge and in knowledge and cultureculture. Most of them were born in educated an wealthy families, . Most of them were born in educated an wealthy families, without fear for their future.without fear for their future.

During During XIXth XIXth century, many century, many Grandes Grandes ÉÉcoles coles are are created, mainly by Statecreated, mainly by State..

Among themAmong them, , the the most most famous famous areare ::nn 18161816 : : ÉÉcole des Mines de Saintcole des Mines de Saint--ÉÉtiennetienne ((miningmining))nn 18191819 : : ÉÉcole spcole spééciale de commerce et dciale de commerce et d’’industrie de Paris industrie de Paris ((tradetrade))nn 18191819 : : ÉÉcole navale cole navale ((navynavy))nn 18211821 : : ÉÉcole nationale des Chartes cole nationale des Chartes (archives)(archives)nn 18241824 : : ÉÉcole royale des eaux et forêts cole royale des eaux et forêts ((water supply and forestswater supply and forests))nn 18261826 : : Institution royale agronomique de Grignon, Institution royale agronomique de Grignon, future future ÉÉcole nationale cole nationale

agronomique agronomique ((agronomyagronomy))nn 18291829 : : ÉÉcole centrale des arts et manufactures de Paris cole centrale des arts et manufactures de Paris (engineering)(engineering)nn 18431843 : : ÉÉcole des mines dcole des mines d’’AlAlèèss ((miningmining))nn 18661866 : : First First classes prclasses prééparatoires paratoires preparing competitive examination preparing competitive examination for for

entrance in entrance in some scientific some scientific Grandes Grandes éécolescoles. Extension to . Extension to humanities humanities in 1875.in 1875.nn 18711871 : : ÉÉcole libre cole libre des sciences des sciences politiquespolitiques, after the defeat of 1870 in the , after the defeat of 1870 in the

germanogermano--french war. french war. SemiSemi--public public foundation foundation ((political political science)science)nn 18811881 : : ÉÉcole des Hautes cole des Hautes éétudes commerciales (HEC)tudes commerciales (HEC), by , by the Chamber the Chamber of of

Commerce of Paris (Commerce of Paris (tradetrade))nn 18821882 : : ÉÉcole du Louvre cole du Louvre (fine arts (fine arts and archeologyand archeology))nn 18911891 : : ÉÉcole supcole supéérieure des travaux publics rieure des travaux publics (building, (building, roads and roads and public public

works)works)nn 18941894 : : ÉÉcole supcole supéérieure drieure d’é’électricitlectricitéé ((electricity engineerselectricity engineers))

Some more are created in Some more are created in XXth XXth century, mainly after World War IIcentury, mainly after World War II ::

nn 19451945 : : ÉÉcole nationale dcole nationale d’’administrationadministration, by General de Gaulle for , by General de Gaulle for «« democratisationdemocratisation »» of high administration. This is the main recruit way for of high administration. This is the main recruit way for politics. politics.

nn Most of entering students of this prestigious school are born inMost of entering students of this prestigious school are born in upper upper classesclasses and itand it’’s more and more difficult for a young French to get access to s more and more difficult for a young French to get access to such an institution, as to most ofsuch an institution, as to most of Grandes Grandes éécolescoles. .

How is it possible to speak with some How is it possible to speak with some credibility about democratization and credibility about democratization and

meritocratymeritocraty ??

nn universities were emptied by a so large concurrence,universities were emptied by a so large concurrence,nn especially because they have no possibility to choose especially because they have no possibility to choose

their students nor asking them any fees, real their students nor asking them any fees, real participation to participation to financement financement of their educationof their education

double and contradictory exception among the OECD countries.double and contradictory exception among the OECD countries.

Qualities and weaknesses of the Qualities and weaknesses of the Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles

nn Grandes Grandes ÉÉcoles coles are really advantaged by several are really advantaged by several qualitiesqualities : :

-- RecruitmentRecruitment : they choose through a competitive : they choose through a competitive examination the best students corresponding to their aim and examination the best students corresponding to their aim and pedagogic project. Most of them select their students thanks to pedagogic project. Most of them select their students thanks to mathematics and scientific matters. Future students are preparedmathematics and scientific matters. Future students are preparedfor two years in for two years in Classes Classes prprééparatoires paratoires located in the best high located in the best high schools of great cities. schools of great cities.

-- Size and comfortSize and comfort

. few students, maximum some hundreds. All of . few students, maximum some hundreds. All of them are in the right place, well personally known, well them are in the right place, well personally known, well trained, cocooned. trained, cocooned.

. Buildings are large, located in beautiful and gree. Buildings are large, located in beautiful and green n campus, libraries are large and comfortable, equipment campus, libraries are large and comfortable, equipment is modern and is modern and adaptated adaptated to studentto student’’s needs. s needs.

. No . No appearent appearent difference with most of american, difference with most of american, english, canadian, korean or japanese academic english, canadian, korean or japanese academic situations.situations.

-- Financial conditionsFinancial conditions : State, private companies, : State, private companies, families participate to families participate to financementfinancement. .

. Annual cost of a pupil in a . Annual cost of a pupil in a Classe prClasse prééparatoireparatoire is is 14 000 14 000 €€, exclusively paid by State budget. Registration , exclusively paid by State budget. Registration is totally free of charge for the families. is totally free of charge for the families.

. Annual cost of a student in a . Annual cost of a student in a Grande Grande ÉÉcole cole is is between 20 000 and 40 000 between 20 000 and 40 000 €€ and possibly more fore and possibly more fore some of them, mainly when the students are some of them, mainly when the students are automatically civil servants as soon as they are admitted automatically civil servants as soon as they are admitted and so paid (and so paid (ÉÉcoles normales supcoles normales supéérieuresrieures, , ÉÉcole cole nationale dnationale d’’administrationadministration, , PolytechniquePolytechnique, , other military other military schools). schools).

-- Quality of teachingQuality of teaching

. Professors are . Professors are ususally ususally excellent on the practical excellent on the practical point of view. Many of them are not mainly professors in point of view. Many of them are not mainly professors in Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles. They are civil servants in high position . They are civil servants in high position of management and of management and responsabilitiesresponsabilities, managers in , managers in private companies, university professors well paid for private companies, university professors well paid for some specific lectures in their field. some specific lectures in their field.

. Quality pedagogy is related to quality of . Quality pedagogy is related to quality of students, level of salary, material conditions of teachingstudents, level of salary, material conditions of teaching..

-- ButBut problemproblem: : insufficient and insufficient and inadequat inadequat level of level of research.research.

. Some . Some Grandes Grandes ÉÉcoles coles have research laboratories have research laboratories specialised in limited fieldsspecialised in limited fields and always in cooperation with and always in cooperation with universities. universities.

. Most other ones have very. Most other ones have very limiteslimites research activities. research activities. This is a real problem for the future elite education, particulaThis is a real problem for the future elite education, particularly rly inin comparaisoncomparaison with foreign systems. with foreign systems.

. Today in the globalization context, managers ne. Today in the globalization context, managers need ed imagination, creativity, sense of innovation. Research and imagination, creativity, sense of innovation. Research and questionment questionment mind are absolutely necessary for resolution of mind are absolutely necessary for resolution of complex problems created by international competition and by complex problems created by international competition and by intercultural dialog.intercultural dialog.

SourceSource : : MinistryMinistry ofof EducationEducation..

2 300 0002 300 000TOTALTOTAL

395 000395 000Grandes Grandes ÉÉcoles coles andand otherother public or public or privateprivate professionalprofessional schoolsschools((postpost baccalaureatbaccalaureat or postor post--classes prclasses prééparatoiresparatoires))

110 000110 000IUT IUT (short technical formations in universities)(short technical formations in universities)

230 000230 000STS STS (short technical formations in high schools)(short technical formations in high schools)

75 00075 000Classe prClasse prééparatoires paratoires to to Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles

1 300 0001 300 000UniversitiesUniversities

Number of students in Number of students in frenchfrench higher education systemhigher education system

Carte des Carte des éétablissements dtablissements d’’enseignement supenseignement supéérieur en France .rieur en France .

nn Qualities and weaknesses Qualities and weaknesses of of UniversitiesUniversities

-- Quality of research. Quality of research. Selection of academics is very hard. In great universitieSelection of academics is very hard. In great universities, s, there are sometimes 100 candidates for one lecturer there are sometimes 100 candidates for one lecturer position. Lecturers and professors are very comparable to position. Lecturers and professors are very comparable to the international level, among OECD countries.the international level, among OECD countries.

-- An appearance of democratizationAn appearance of democratization. As . As universities are unselective and quasi free of charge universities are unselective and quasi free of charge (170 (170 €€), as students from poor families receive grants ), as students from poor families receive grants for their for their accomodation accomodation and daily life, as and daily life, as studentsstudents’’jobs jobs are now untaxed, itare now untaxed, it’’s easy for everyone to receive higher s easy for everyone to receive higher education in universities.education in universities.

-- But, these possibilities have drawbacks. But, these possibilities have drawbacks. . Success rates of . Success rates of BaccalaureatBaccalaureat are between 80 and are between 80 and

90%. Of course, this is nonsense and don90%. Of course, this is nonsense and don’’t reveals the real t reveals the real intellectual level of the young French. intellectual level of the young French.

.. Too many of them pass the general Too many of them pass the general BaccalaureatBaccalaureatinstead of technical or professional, more instead of technical or professional, more adaptated adaptated to their to their real level and to the employment market. real level and to the employment market.

. . Many pupils with anMany pupils with an insufficentinsufficent level to thelevel to theBaccalaureatBaccalaureat are going in universities because other are going in universities because other possibilities are closed for them. It results possibilities are closed for them. It results

. an important lack of work force in manual. an important lack of work force in manualprofessions (building, food, health out of medicine, etc.). professions (building, food, health out of medicine, etc.).

. lack of motivation in an important part o. lack of motivation in an important part of the f the studentstudent’’s population. s population.

. . Apprenticeship Apprenticeship is very lowly is very lowly developped developped in in France. France.

-- Lack of students capacities evaluationLack of students capacities evaluation at at universities entrance and of careers advice.universities entrance and of careers advice.

. . eenormous failurenormous failure for the undergraduate beginners (50% in for the undergraduate beginners (50% in science, 60% in law, 70% in humanities and 90% in medicine, for science, 60% in law, 70% in humanities and 90% in medicine, for the first the first year). year).

. . A part of these A part of these inadaptated inadaptated students to their academic choice students to their academic choice leaves very early, after one or two months, some after one semesleaves very early, after one or two months, some after one semester, one ter, one year, unfortunately after two or three years. year, unfortunately after two or three years.

. . students leaving the system are mostly coming from the students leaving the system are mostly coming from the

popular classes, particularly from the african immigration.popular classes, particularly from the african immigration.

Promotion of merit is too often a slogan politically Promotion of merit is too often a slogan politically correct and not a reality. correct and not a reality.

--15 to 20% of the students15 to 20% of the students (law, humanities, science) (law, humanities, science) have an administrative registration and the benefit of studenthave an administrative registration and the benefit of student’’s s advantages (medical insurance, various reductions, university advantages (medical insurance, various reductions, university restaurants) restaurants) without coming a single day for learningwithout coming a single day for learning. .

It was the same in Germany until the decision of It was the same in Germany until the decision of Chancelor Chancelor SchrSchrööder der of university fees increasing (from 170 to 1 000 of university fees increasing (from 170 to 1 000 €€)) : : universities lost 20% of their studentsuniversities lost 20% of their students ! !

They were so happy to loose They were so happy to loose parasits parasits and win more and win more financementfinancement ! !

The result of french system is a strong lack of motivation The result of french system is a strong lack of motivation among the undergraduate students, compared to those who among the undergraduate students, compared to those who are in are in Classes Classes prprééparatoires paratoires and and Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles, to those who , to those who are in north european, north american or north asiatic are in north european, north american or north asiatic universities. universities.

-- Enormous lack of finance for universitiesEnormous lack of finance for universities. . . . Average cost of a university student (mainly for Average cost of a university student (mainly for

State) is only 7 000 State) is only 7 000 €€, one of the lowest among the OECD , one of the lowest among the OECD countries.countries.

. Buildings. Buildings are often too old and always too small. are often too old and always too small. Libraries are not sufficient, and not open enough. Research Libraries are not sufficient, and not open enough. Research laboratories donlaboratories don’’t receive enough t receive enough monneymonney. .

-- Poor performances of french universitiesPoor performances of french universities in the in the different classifications (Shanghadifferent classifications (Shanghaïï university, Times higher university, Times higher education supplement, etc.). The Nobel Prices are attributed to education supplement, etc.). The Nobel Prices are attributed to researchers working in highly funded laboratories, collecting researchers working in highly funded laboratories, collecting public and private public and private monneymonney. .

-- Why? Why? Reluctance about private companies and private Reluctance about private companies and private monneymonney. In spite of this:. In spite of this: french french researchers receive sometimes researchers receive sometimes Nobel Prices, as this year in medicine or, time to time, in Nobel Prices, as this year in medicine or, time to time, in physics, chemistry, less surprising in physics, chemistry, less surprising in litteraturelitterature, because of an , because of an old cultural tradition more individual.old cultural tradition more individual.

-- In spite of this, most of professional bachelors, In spite of this, most of professional bachelors, masters and doctoral schools (postgraduate masters and doctoral schools (postgraduate cursuscursus) are ) are very very performantperformant (30% of students). (30% of students).

.. Thanks to the Thanks to the high quality of academicshigh quality of academics, these , these cursus cursus are competitive with the best ones in foreign countries.are competitive with the best ones in foreign countries.

.. Thousands of excellent PhD are defended every Thousands of excellent PhD are defended every year. The year. The titulars titulars of such diplomas find quite easily a good job of such diplomas find quite easily a good job related to their education, as former students of related to their education, as former students of Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles. .

nn The university reform law of august 2007The university reform law of august 2007

One of the first law project presented by new President One of the first law project presented by new President Nicolas Nicolas SarkozySarkozy, Prime Minister Fran, Prime Minister Franççois ois Fillon Fillon and Minister of and Minister of Higher Education and Research, Mrs ValHigher Education and Research, Mrs Valéérie rie PPéécressecresse, to , to Parliament in spring 2007 is related to university reform. The Parliament in spring 2007 is related to university reform. The law was approved in august 2007 and offers large law was approved in august 2007 and offers large possibilities of modernization for universities. possibilities of modernization for universities. The The law law contains the contains the main main following following pointspoints ::

-- Large autonomy and Large autonomy and responsability responsability for for universities. universities. Global budget. Establishments may distribute their public Global budget. Establishments may distribute their public funds according their political choices. Universities prepare funds according their political choices. Universities prepare contracts with Ministry of Higher Education every four years. contracts with Ministry of Higher Education every four years.

-- But, selection of students at entrance and But, selection of students at entrance and participation of students and their families to participation of students and their families to financement financement (increase of fees) is still impossible.(increase of fees) is still impossible.

Unfortunately, this gap between Unfortunately, this gap between Grandes Grandes ÉÉcoles coles and and universities remains. Ituniversities remains. It’’s a real great pity for quality and s a real great pity for quality and democracy. It would be much better to exempt good democracy. It would be much better to exempt good poor students of fees, instead of leaving the whole poor students of fees, instead of leaving the whole society pay for the wealthy families children. society pay for the wealthy families children.

-- Orientation at the end of High school, before the Orientation at the end of High school, before the BaccalaurBaccalaurééatat, is compulsory. , is compulsory. But:But:

. lack of experience in this domain. . lack of experience in this domain.

. Families and future students are reluctant a. Families and future students are reluctant about bout this practise, because they are afraid to be rejected from this practise, because they are afraid to be rejected from universities.universities.

. University communities are afraid to lose a . University communities are afraid to lose a large large number of students, then to receive less number of students, then to receive less monney monney from State from State and have less possibilities to employ new young academics, and have less possibilities to employ new young academics, i.e. i.e. ……their best students. their best students.

. This is totally irresponsible, but it. This is totally irresponsible, but it’’s the sad reality. s the sad reality. In 2008, the new law was not really applied on this In 2008, the new law was not really applied on this

point.point.

-- Possibility of private Possibility of private financement financement via via foundations. foundations.

This represent a possibility of links with private This represent a possibility of links with private companies, with future studentcompanies, with future student’’s employers, with s employers, with research demanders. Of course, it implies a deep research demanders. Of course, it implies a deep reflexion reflexion about programs, recruitment of students about programs, recruitment of students ans ans professors.professors.

-- Loans for students are easier Loans for students are easier

with a State guarantee for the banks. Itwith a State guarantee for the banks. It’’s one of s one of the conditions before the necessary increase of the conditions before the necessary increase of academic fees.academic fees.

-- Presidents power is stronger than before. Presidents power is stronger than before. The The electoral system electoral system exagerates exagerates the majority and the elected the majority and the elected president may choose the external personalities. president may choose the external personalities.

Problem: the Presidents are elected by Problem: the Presidents are elected by representants representants of of academics, staff and students, who are usually very academics, staff and students, who are usually very conservative, even if leftists, and not by conservative, even if leftists, and not by independant independant external external personalities, particularly personalities, particularly representants representants of employment market.of employment market.

The new law offers some good possibilities, but State The new law offers some good possibilities, but State must be very strong in the reform wish and in must be very strong in the reform wish and in

encouragement toencouragement to responsabilitiesresponsabilities..

nn How to promote french higher education in the global How to promote french higher education in the global competitioncompetition ??

-- Fusion between the two dual systems. Fusion between the two dual systems.

. . Promotion of research in the Promotion of research in the Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles..

.. Possibility for all establishments to accept (select) students Possibility for all establishments to accept (select) students according to their specialities. The according to their specialities. The tastestastes and and capacitiecapacities of the students s of the students must be considered attentively. must be considered attentively.

Resistances to such a reform will be enormous and government wilResistances to such a reform will be enormous and government will l need great energy to realize it.need great energy to realize it.

-- Promotion of foreign languagesPromotion of foreign languages learning among learning among the frenchthe french studentsstudents

Young French must accomplish a real effort in orderYoung French must accomplish a real effort in order to speak fluently to speak fluently english and, if possible, one or two other languages. english and, if possible, one or two other languages.

Tomorrow, this will be a real strength in the globaTomorrow, this will be a real strength in the global world. Itl world. It’’s a s a condition of a real and deep dialog is understanding of foreign condition of a real and deep dialog is understanding of foreign mentalities mentalities through languages. through languages.

ItIt’’s very important with countries recently open to international ts very important with countries recently open to international trade rade as China or India. The same with korean, japanese or vietnamese.as China or India. The same with korean, japanese or vietnamese.

-- Encouragement to expatriation of Encouragement to expatriation of french studentsfrench students

for one term or more in foreign universities (Erasmus for one term or more in foreign universities (Erasmus system in Europe, other countries)system in Europe, other countries)

-- Attraction of good foreign students in Attraction of good foreign students in french higher education.french higher education.

Promotion of Promotion of Grandes Grandes ÉÉcolescoles,, Masters and doctoral Masters and doctoral cursus cursus of universities, technical schools.of universities, technical schools.

Openning Openning of foreign campuses in France and french campuses in of foreign campuses in France and french campuses in selected foreign countries on the Paris Sorbonne Abu Dhabi modelselected foreign countries on the Paris Sorbonne Abu Dhabi model. .