More funding for HE, priority for students in austerity budget

By Jane Marshall. Higher education and research have been relatively spared in France’s austerity budget. While most other ministries have experienced cuts, the sector’s allocation for 2013 rose by 2.2% over the previous year, totalling nearly €23 billion (US$30 billion), with priority going to student support and including funding for 1,000 new university posts.
The budget’s €514 million increase was in spite of the economic crisis, and against a predicted 3.5% cut for higher education and research made earlier this year after the socialist-led government came to power.
Geneviève Fioraso, higher education and research minister, expressed satisfaction. “With an increased budget in this very constrained climate, we shall manage,” she said.
Her chief priority was student support, including more funding for housing – in line with government policy to build 40,000 new units in five years – and increased grants, including introduction of a 10th month for the 650,000 students receiving them. More...