| Le Mans University | |
| Native Name: | Le Mans Université |
| Established: | 1977: Université du Maine 2017 (renamed): Le Mans Université |
| Type: | Public |
| Budget: | €96 million |
| Faculty: | 1,100[1] |
| President: | Pascal Leroux |
| Students: | 13,000 |
| City: | Laval & Le Mans |
| State: | Pays de la Loire |
| Country: | France |
| Affiliations: | AUF, ComUE Angers-Le Mans, EUA |
| Website: | univ-lemans.fr |
Le Mans University (French: Le Mans Université; formerly Université du Maine) is a public university in western France with campuses in Le Mans and Laval.
It is part of the Angers-Le Mans University Community.[2]
In accordance with the French Education Code, which establishes the legal organization of public universities, the Le Mans University consists of several components. There are the training and research units (UFR), referred to as "faculties", and other components, referred to as "institutes and schools" . The university therefore consists of:
The university opened in 1977 as the University of Maine, named after the former Maine province of which it is a part. However, its history goes back a decade before that. In 1965, the decision was made to open a literary college on the edge of Le Mans. This college was only an annex of the University of Caen, where decisions were made jointly by the leaders of the university with the leaders of the Le Mans. The hill of Vaurouzé was chosen to host the new study center. The proximity of a few kilometers with the hospital suggests the possibility of opening a hospital one day. In 1966, the buildings of the CLOUS (Local Center for University and School Works) were built. Housing and a dining services were the only services available. A year later, the IUTs of business management, business administration and chemistry were opened. In 1968, the IUT was increased by two sections: mechanical engineering and production engineering. Cities continue to be created. In 1969, the city of Le Mans obtained total independence from the University of Caen. The university was no longer an annex, but a university centre in its own right.
In 1975, two new UFRs opened: Law and Letters.
In 2017, the university renamed itself to Le Mans University.[3]
Le Mans University was officially recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education in 1977. A final science department was created, bringing the number of students to 3,000. The leaders were aware that the campus needed to develop, comparing it to the larger neighboring universities. In 1985, there was a large increase in enrollment. However, the university had a major disadvantage: the campus was too far from the city centre, and in the evening, it felt desolate, which many found distressing.
In 1987, the capacity was reached and the current amphitheatres were not enough to welcome all of the students. The Robert Garnier Amphitheater of the UFR Arts and Letters is almost entirely subsidized by the city.
In 1990, resources were given to the university to build three new buildings. This cost a total of 9 million francs at the time.
In 1992, the European institute of music professions decided to settle in the centre of the technopole, close to the university. The institute welcomed students from all over France and also European students for a rare and recognized training. In the same year, the CTTM: Le Mans Technology Transfer Center opened its doors. The link between the technopole and the university began. In 1993, ISMANS, the Higher Institute of Materials of Le Mans, settled on the campus. Two amphitheatres, eight laboratories and twelve classrooms are dedicated to it. New student housing was also created.
In 1994, the vocational university opened its doors. Partnerships with neighboring companies were already in place. The University House was also erected. It allowed for better coordination on campus. The development of the streets is revised, the science department is enlarged with 21 million francs, entirely taken over by the CUM. In the same year, the IUP micro-informatics-electronics diversified the cultural offer. In 1995, cars were considered to be too numerous on the campus: lanes reserved for buses were then fitted, with a device preventing light vehicles from using these lanes. Three lines (12, 15 and 19) serve the university. This allows the buses not to be bothered by the many cars, often parked in places that are not intended for them.
In 1997, for the twenty years of the campus, the Higher School of Geometers and topographers comes to settle in Le Mans. In 1998, the ENSIM, the National School of Engineers of Le Mans, settled down. The years 1997 to 1999 are the most successful years with about 11,000 students enrolled throughout the campus and the university is full of training. A central university library is built on two floors where the different UFRs can be referred. The scattered premises of the former BUs of the various UFRs are abandoned to make them classrooms or IBs, libraries of institutes, more sharp than the central BU.
In 2007, the Le Mans tram links the campus to the city centre in a few minutes and south of Le Mans in 25 minutes. In 2002, the technopole took on a new form, as pharmaceutical companies expanded and gained ground on the southern end of the campus. Between 2003 and 2006, the facilities were numerous, and the bet made 30 years ago, to link the university to the city was finally won. Many services were built in the image of a skating rink (City Ice), a skate park, etc. Enrollment has now returned to the 1997 level (over 10,000 students). The campus was expanding quickly with the creation of a new district and new university housing. A parking garage with three floors and a large shopping area were built. Besides the city of Laval, annexes had been created in the city of Le Mans with the "Campus-technology" district in the south of the city.
In 2009, the university became a founding member of PRES University Nantes Angers Le Mans university group. PRES was transformed, and on 1 January 2016, the university became part of the Brittany Loire University group.
Le Mans University offers more than 140 degrees in four areas: arts, letters, languages; Law, economics, management; Humanities and Social Sciences ; Science, technology, health. The courses are conducted by the three UFRs, two IUTs and one engineering school.
The courses of the UFR Sciences and Techniques are spread over six departments:
The UFR's courses in humanities, languages and humanities are divided into eight departments:
The courses in Law, Economics and Management are divided into two areas:
The IUT's courses are based on four departments: chemistry, mechanical and production engineering, business and government management, and physical measures.
The IUT de Laval's courses are organized around four themes:
The ENSIM School of Engineering courses are divided into two specialties and four options:
The university's campuses are both located on spacious plots of land on the outskirts of Laval and Le Mans.
The university has CROUS residence halls and dining services available to students on both campuses.[4]
Le Mans University has several student organisations and sports clubs available to students.[5]