INSA: First French engineering university to adopt European Charter for Researchers
The French National Institute for Applied Sciences (INSA) has signed the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, committing itself to applying their principles to its human resources management. The adoption by INSA of the Charter and Code was formalised through the signing of a joint statement by Alain Storck, Director of INSA Lyon, and Director of Science and Society Directorate at the European Commission, Jean-Michel Baer, on 3 July. The signing will make INSA the first French engineering university to adhere to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct. 'This is a strong gesture for the mobility and dynamism of the European Research Area,' Mr Baer told CORDIS News. 'The signing of the European Charter and Code of Conduct demonstrate that INSA is present at the rendezvous set by the European Commission to share the same values and responsibilities for researchers and employers throughout Europe'. Published by the European Commission in March 2005, the Charter and Code of Conduct are considered to be key initiatives in the EU's policy to help increase the number of researchers in Europe, and to stimulate economic and employment growth. While the Charter addresses the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers and their employers or funding organisations, the Code seeks to improve recruitment, to make selection procedures fairer and more transparent, and to start a discussion on different means of judging merit. 'The implementation of the Charter and Code of Conduct is very important,' said EU Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. 'I think this is essential, not only to produce quality and innovative research, but also to maintain a code of discipline, which will ensure the continuity of the high level of research and researchers in the future.' By subscribing to the two initiatives, INSA 'will pursue its efforts to offer its personnel quality working conditions and recruitment as well as environment, in particular in the field of research', according to a statement from the Institute. According to the Director of INSA Lyon, signing the Charter sends an important signal to researchers, indicating that their work is valued. 'We are the first French engineering university to adhere to the Charter because it corresponds to our philosophy, which consists of a strong integration of education and research, and the consideration of all our researchers as an integral part of our organisation.' Created in 1957, INSA is one of the top French 'grandes écoles' or universities, dedicated to engineering education and research. It has five public establishments, organised as a network, and located in the major French regional cities of Lyon, Rennes, Rouen, Strasbourg and Toulouse. It is the largest engineer training group in France, producing 12% of the country's engineers. Comprising 31 laboratories and 1,000 members of staff, INSA's main missions are to provide engineering training and to undertake scientific and technological research. In order to fulfil these missions, the institute works in close partnership with other public and private research institutions as well as with the industrial sector. The signing of the European Charter and Code of Conduct took place at a conference organised by INSA Lyon on the new challenges and opportunities facing education and research in Europe, timed to coincide with a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the institute.
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