Others should launch in the coming months

So far, so good. Across, schools and universities continue to display ambitious development plans, to multiply projects, launch new programs. And to register on the momentum of recent years, in a dynamic of growth. But for how long The crisis should not save a contra-cyclical yet deemed higher education sector.

For now, multiple factors contribute to feed the inflationary spiral. Starting with globalization: it imposes standards higher in terms of quality of education and the students home. It grows to create new courses, to recruit teachers-researchers, to expand the building. Or even to increase scholarships. Ditto for the emphasis placed on research, also large consumer of credits. Add the necessary to level of computer networks, the improvement of services for students become more demanding, the increased international presence expenditure of communication...

Typical example of this bulimia, the plan 2009-2013 to CET, presented in the fall ("Les Echos" from October 17, 2008). The group includes to collect, through its Foundation, 100 million euros, while the Chamber of commerce and industry of Paris is expected to double the last. In the program, recruitment of about 30 professors, doubling of the number of scholarships, campus renovation, construction of a new building, rehabilitation of homes... "The competition intensifies in our markets." Leaders demand increases. "We must support the accelerator," says Bernard Ramanantsoa, the Director-General.

Most business schools"of the hexagon place in this logic. SUP de Co Rennes provides to acquire a building of 5.000 m2, and moving its student workforce of 1,800 to 2,500. A Euromed-Marseille, the budget rose by EUR 17 million in 2002 to 37 million this year. Edhec is developing a new ultramodern site in Lille, for EUR 75 million. And at the same time, the school prepares to renovate its nice premises an investment of EUR 24 million.

Expect turbulence

The training of engineers are also involved. The central schools, for example, are looking for partner companies to contribute to the financing of central Beijing. "We have already a dozen, and we are negotiating with others." "But it is not easy", notes Hervé Biausser, Director of central Paris. Finally, at universities, on table on manna from the Campus Plan and foundations which are multiplying. Already, 15 of these structures are on track. Others should launch in the coming months.

Is the crisis not to question all these projects "We are well aware that, at times running, collect 100 million euros, it will be sporting," admitted one of the leaders of CET. But nothing says, for the time being, that we can not. ""In reality, it attends a large liar poker game, believes Patrick Molle, Director General of EM Lyon. No one wants to recognize that it is assigned. However all schools will be affected to varying degrees, it is clear. "EM Lyon, the budget should be looped without problem, apprenticeship tax returns correctly, the placement of graduates is in line with the objectives. "But, today, on training, companies renegotiate, delay and sometimes renounce their projects, admits Patrick Molle. For the "executive MBA", candidates are reluctant to submit to their boss an invoice of 30,000 to 35,000 euros. And some firms plan to lift the foot on hiring. "Result, some students will probably choose to extend their studies with a master's degree specialized or an MBA. EM Lyon, the Executive Committee of the school is set to revisit the strategic plan. "It is not at risk in the home, but better is anticipating, judge the Director-General. We'll perhaps longer to realize some projects, but we keep the CAP no question reduce our recruitment of teachers, nor to stop in China, which is one of our key development areas. We will let pass the storm and prepare to rebound.

The Foundation in question

At the ENPC School of International Management, admittedly have "great difficulty" for the end of studies for students projects. "We must do the door-to-door, said Tawfik Jelassi, Dean. Many firms are short term logic. "Also, the school was forced to suspend training for a large auditing firm. "For the moment, the crisis arises especially for learning, says his side Stéphan Bourcieu, Director General of the ESC Dijon." About 20 companies we have been false bond, a total of 80 contracts.

Many institutions are now counting on "fundraising" to provide at least an extra resource. Here again, disappointments are anticipated. "Until now, we support a handful of schools with which we maintain close ties, exposes the HRD of a large industrial group. This year, we are asked by about thirty institutions, including universities. Rather than disperse us, we may turn to other forms of partnership. "The University Pierre - et - Marie-Curie, who had planned to launch its foundation in September, will postpone the operation. "Harvest 50 million today, it seems difficult," Note Jean-Charles Pomerol, President. The UPMC also waived temporarily some programs abroad and doctoral training. At the ESC Toulouse, the Foundation has collected last year that hoped to 800,000 euros, instead of the one million.

Appropriate solutions

In these conditions, each strives to find solutions adapted to its characteristics. And play its strengths. So it is not possible to increase tuition fees... "We build priority on our international presence in China, Abu Dhabi, the Morocco and the United States, with local partners now." "This allows us to cushion the crisis", said Tawfik Jelassi. A Telecom Ecole de management, were welcomed to operate in a sector of activity the computer which is still carrying. "This us protects the difficulties, believes Denis Lapert, Director. In addition, 70 of our budget is formed by a State subsidy. "Institutions selected Campus Plan, they receive additional resources, but a resurgence of visibility also. "This puts us in a positive dynamic", judge Thierry Grange, Director General of Grenoble EM, which is part of the project "Grenoble University of Innovation". Remains that across the caution is. Less affected than other areas by the downturn in the economy, higher education must still prepare for the challenge of the crisis.