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.
Composition
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:
Training and research units
Faculty of Law, Economics and Management
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Science and Technology
Institutes and schools
Laval University Institute of Technology
University Institute of Technology of Le Mans
National School of Engineers of Le Mans (Ensim) Risk and Insurance Institute, which specialiases in law, economics and mathematics.
History
Beginnings
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.
Creation
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.
Expansion
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 is 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.