We are always looking for external expertise

We are always looking for external expertise. For a businesses such as ours, public research partnerships are fundamental. "Jean-Luc Schuppiser, the Scientific Director of the Essilor International Group, flowing praise for public-private partnerships. But, for the pattern of R & D of the world leader in ophthalmic lenses, the "ppp" concept has a special meaning. "The project must be built around a product or a technology." It set a goal and set a timetable. This cannot be an eternal annuity. Need to conduct regular assessments, as the industrial world works by creating value. For us, the ideal is a joint laboratory where researchers work together and Exchange spontaneously.

The French group has since 2003 one unit of this type installed in Toulouse in a laboratory of the CNRS. It has just signed an agreement with the University of Shanghai. This common lab is original applications: discover nanoparticles synthesis for the optical industry. A team of researchers fifteen two-thirds are from the Chinese University will be mobilized around the project. According to the National Association of technical research (ANRT) who has just published its annual survey on the State of research in France (1), the cooperation between public research and industry should multiply to improve the technological competitiveness of the French offer on international markets. On average, a company produces internally that 20 of its technology needs. It must therefore acquire the rest on the outside, as purchase or partnership.

Elie Cohen, Director of research at CNRS, agreed that the hexagon must enter into an "innovation economy" for its growth. This patent economist argues for a very selective organization of academic research that will be startled students unions. At the top of this three-tier system stand ten high-end campus known as "research universities". These champions are PhD students and post-docs brightest (and motivated). These power Nobel Prize have high-end facilities and produce international quality research. A notch below are regional universities (licence and master level) who do not have vocation to produce high level research. The third level consists of university colleges issuing training shorter and professionalized. Bold but not reckless, Elie Cohen believes that to do "not to be murdered, require bridges" between the different articles.

Creative chaos

According to him, "the avalanche of reforms and new structures" announced by the Government since 2005 caused a creative chaos from which (maybe) will be a modernized organization of the French system of research and innovation (SFRI). For the moment, it is the account. "French universities do have the possibility to choose and pay their teachers or the freedom to select their students." It is the strength of the Anglo-Saxon institutions. Where are the comprehensive universities in France find Charles Kleiber, former Secretary of State for education and research in Switzerland, which denounced the false Act on the autonomy of French universities. According to him, the campus are a "public enterprises where knowledge." They must imperatively to focus on excellence and integrate into their "war of the minds" strategy that amplifies. "When hiring the best teachers, it brought the best students and it wins large research budgets. "French universities are too self-focused," Sonny Charles Kleiber.

Pending the reform, the next budget of research presents itself as a new arm of railway between some public researchers and Government. Subject of controversy: the tax credit research (CIR). In the 2009 budget, the CIR will exceed EUR 3 billion (compared with EUR 1.4 billion in 2006). This incentive tax instrument is intended to develop generic research in hexagonal enterprises (2). New ceilings measures also seek to improve the attractiveness of the country for foreign companies wishing to establish industrial research centres in Europe.

Definitely very accommodating, the Department (MESR) decided to implement a device "more secure for businesses". In plain language, it is to serve the Ric of his actual or perceived "tax control row" reputation that he sticks to the skin since its introduction (3). Another measure will be particularly appreciated by companies: from the Declaration of the year 2008, the salary of a young doctor hired is multiplied by four in the base of the CIR. "Gifts to patterns" that more than ever angry public researchers against the private sector since the market crisis will no doubt appreciate.