The trustees

Founded in 1939, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) is a public organization under the responsibility of the French Ministry of Education and Research.

Through its ten institutes, it is the largest fundamental scientific research organisation in Europe and has developed interdisciplinary programs in all fields of knowledge, bringing together several departments as well as other research institutions and industries.

The IRL is tied to two institutes, the Humanities institute, l'Institut National des Sciences Humaines et Sociales (InSHS) and the Ecology and Environmental Institute, l'Institut Ecologie et Environnement (INEE).

In 1885, the University of Arizona was the first public university created in the State of Arizona. In 1891, the first classes took place in Old Main, the only building on the campus at the time. Today the 40 acre campus has expanded to 362 acres, 40 000 students and over 12 000 faculty and personnel.

The NSF ranks the University of Arizona No. 1 in physical sciences research and No. 21 overall in research funding among U.S. public institutions. U.S. News & World Report ranks the UA among America’s best colleges and the Princeton Review lists the UA as one of the nation’s best universities. The UA ranks No. 73 in the world and No. 46 nationally according to the Center for University World Rankings, and the UA is also one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars.

Both a French grande école and a university, the Ecole normale supérieure provides excellent training through research, leading to various teaching and research professions. Also through research, it trains the senior executives of public administrations, French and European companies. The ENS defines and applies scientific and technological research policies, from a multidisciplinary and international perspective. Since 1794, it has prepared its students to a variety of disciplines and the highest responsibilities, while being fully invested in the intellectual, scientific and cultural debates of its time. It is ranked internationally in the top 3.

ENS is a member of PSL University. Excellence, cross-disciplinarity and creativity form the backbone of Université PSL. Created in 2010 and awarded “Investments for the Future” funding from the French government, PSL encompasses a rich array of prestigious schools and institutions that in celebration of their historical relationships and their cultural and geographic proximity decided to create together a new university that promotes breakthrough thinking and the spirit of experimentation.

Covering the arts, sciences, engineering, the humanities and social science, PSL’s diversity is its strength--diversity that also shines through in its students, who hail from multiple geographical, cultural, and social backgrounds.