French Rectors’ Conference (CPU) annual colloquium focuses on human resources management

EUA Secretary General, Lesley Wilson, participated earlier this month in the French Rectors’ Conference (CPU) annual colloquium in Rennes, which had as its central theme human resources management in universities. In 2007, a French higher education law gave universities expanded responsibilities and competences in this particular area — and therefore has been, and continues to be, an important topic for French universities. The CPU conference was an opportunity for university presidents from across France to discuss a wide range of issues and challenges in relation to this topic, such as engaging staff, gender balance, the development of young researchers, staff mobility and training, social responsibilities, and the impact of new technologies.
Lesley Wilson was invited to provide a European perspective on the changing status of academic staff across Europe which also involved discussions on the importance of including human resource management issues in strategic discussions on mobility. The event concluded with twelve CPU proposals on this topic which can be viewed (in French) on the CPU website. These proposals included placing the training of staff at the heart of HR strategies; balancing centralised strategic vision with professional local management; and developing male-female equality and parity in institutions.