The University of Lorraine wants to shine on the European stage
First wishes for Hélène Boulanger, held in the presence of Mathieu Klein, Mayor of Nancy, and François Grosdidier, Mayor of Metz. Image University of Lorraine
The first swearing-in ceremony of the president of the University of Lorraine. Hélène Boulanger took the opportunity to reveal the roadmap for 2023, with the desire to promote UL and its talents on the European stage.
“The people of Lorraine are silent. This is confirmed by Hélène Boulanger, president of the University of Lorraine (UL), when expressing her wishes. Opening this new year also means looking back on the past and its achievements. If the company can prove that it has everything in 2022, it will have to step up in 2023. Among the notable successes, one can mention the receipt of the “Science with and for society” label. “University of Excellence Lorraine for Education and Territories” project “France 2030” investment plan, selected as part of the approach of higher education and research institutions to the dissemination of scientific culture or supported by the government and launched as part of the “Excellence” project call. This is also the submission of the file for the establishment of the IHU, which is entering the second evaluation phase (an oral meeting with the National Research Agency is scheduled for February 1).
2022 was also the 450th anniversary of the birth of the university in Pont-à-Mousson, where the institution would share the city’s influence for 200 years until it was moved to Nancy in the 18th century. It is no coincidence that the president has scheduled a meeting with his partners for this swearing-in ceremony at the Charles Lepuis amphitheater of the medical school. Because this man is none other than “the first professor of the Faculty of Pont-a-Mousson”. An iconic location that “represents all that the university ecosystem can bring to society.”
“Confirm your ambitions”
In the words of the president, “knocking” the door of 2023 is also “confirming the ambitions” of an institution that has so far been “extremely modest”. 2023 is the year of a university committed to the great transitions of tomorrow, especially ecological, and above all, a university that intends to consolidate its position, especially on a European scale, as UL is fully benefiting from this wealth. -The border character of Lorraine territory. A strengthened position since the University of Lorraine joined the Eureca-Pro European alliance, which now has nine universities, last September. This European scientific network carries out training, research and innovation activities around responsible consumption and production. This will include a general approach to higher education and research issues around these topics.
Image University of Lorraine
The second phase is a “major overhaul” of Franco-German policy, with the launch of a special task force “a few weeks ago”. “This work will focus on what I call the Franco-German space, which allows for a fusion between the east-west and north-south axes of our territory. It must be said that we are the French-German champions and we must show our ambitions to go further. »
join
But to achieve these lofty goals, we must also and above all unite. Ending this pseudo-rivalry that some have evoked between Nancy and Metz, UL should be networked “with bridgeheads that are major metropolises.” This requires the universityization of CHR Metz-Thionville. In this sense, “a request has been made”. At the same time, UL aims to achieve the “University Innovation Pole” label. The file “under study” should be submitted “from next week”. “This meets the common interests of our area. »
Cross-border influence that includes solidarity. The solidarity shown by UL by welcoming Ukrainian researchers and students who have taken refuge in France to their institutions. Because how can we talk about Europe without mentioning the war that hit Ukraine? “I will present to the Board of Directors an appeal for donations to facilitate the reconstruction work [de l’université de Taras-Chevtchenko de Kiev]was bombed in the evening of December 31. I consider it our duty to help them. EUR 1 million has already been allocated to support Ukrainian researchers on the ground. “We must continue these efforts. A move which is set to go further with the opening of a ‘special bridging degree’ for asylum seeking refugee students ‘at the start of the next university year’.
