Presentation of the University of Rennes

The University of Rennes is an experimental public institution. Open to Europe and the world, at the heart of the Brittany Region and linked to Rennes Métropole and its ecosystem, it is built on a common history and the assets of its founding members. It has one ambition: to meet the major societal challenges of a world in transition, particularly in the fields of the environment, global health and digital technology.

A university model tailored to the territory

The University of Rennes brings together training departments (UFR, faculties, schools, institutes), research centres and five grandes écoles who participate in the development and implementation of the strategy of the University of Rennes: École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), École nationale supérieure de chimie de Rennes (ENSCR), École normale supérieure de Rennes (ENS Rennes), Institut national des sciences appliquées de Rennes (INSA Rennes), Sciences Po Rennes.

The University of Rennes also associates with the Université Rennes 2, the École nationale de statistique et analyse de l’information de Rennes (ENSAI) and the Institut Agro Rennes-Angers to pursue and develop joint projects.

National research organizations – CNRS, INRAE, Inria, Inserm – and the CHU de Rennes participate as partners in the development and implementation of the scientific strategy of the University of Rennes.

A new multidisciplinary institution with a public service mission of higher education and research

  1. Research: developing intensive research in the service of society, encouraging open science and stimulating innovation and transfer.
  2. Training: to advance and transmit knowledge by crossing disciplinary boundaries, pedagogical innovation and diversification of pathways.
  3. Student experience: to create the conditions for a quality student experience, to promote the success and fulfilling professional integration of students.
  4. RSE: contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, including the well-being of students, staff and stakeholders.
  5. International: cooperate internationally and participate in the development of the European Higher Education and Research Area.

A pilot university for the ecological and environmental transition

The University of Rennes is committed to playing a leading role in the ecological and environmental transition. It intends to actively contribute to the preservation and restoration of the planet through the implementation of the United Nations' sustainable development objectives. This will be achieved in particular by

  • the application of the Jean Jouzel report, "Raising awareness and providing training on the challenges of the ecological transition and sustainable development in higher education";
  • the integration of these issues into the entire training offer;
  • the development of an action plan common to the training components, research centres and the five grandes écoles in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and resource consumption;
  • the renovation of campuses and the preservation of biodiversity;
  • the mobilisation of students and staff for the signing of the Grenoble Agreement and for the Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility (SD&RS) label;
  • the coordination of the sustainable development approach and actions by creating a transversal unit at the University of Rennes.

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