Annual Conference of the Association of Chief Administrative Officers of Higher Education Institutions

On July 3 and 4, the University of Montpellier will host the annual conference of the Association of General Directors of Public Higher Education Institutions on the theme: “AI and Higher Education: Building Trust and Developing Solutions for Responsible Use.”

This conference will explore the ethical and strategic issues, the potential for transforming institutional missions, and the practical applications of AI in higher education institutions. Structured around three roundtables and workshops, it will facilitate extensive discussions and networking with speakers from diverse backgrounds and help establish a comprehensive roadmap for ethical and responsible AI.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

Wednesday, July 2, 2025
WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION

• Starting at 7:30 p.m. – Welcome cocktail reception at the Musée Fabre

In Montpellier, the arts, sciences, and culture come together to create places that are surprisingly rich in art and history. A visit to the Fabre Museum is part of a series of activities and tours for those who are curious and passionate about the visual arts and cultural heritage. [39 bd Bonne Nouvelle, Montpellier · museefabre.fr]

Thursday, July 3, 2025
STRATEGY, CHALLENGES, AND FEEDBACK

• 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. – Welcome, opening remarks & general introduction

WELCOME REMARKS
Philippe Augé (President of the University of Montpellier)
Olivier Ginez (Director General of Higher Education and Professional Integration, DGESIP),
Emmanuel Duflos (President of the Conference of Directors of French Engineering Schools (CDEFI),
and the representative of the Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DGRI).

General Introduction: The Impact of AI on the Transformation of Higher Education Institutions
, Pierre Noro (Sciences Po Paris)
, Ioana Galleron (VP CFVU Sorbonne Nouvelle)

• 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Roundtable 1

AI AND GOVERNANCE
Topics covered: Ethical, strategic, and legal issues: What is the appropriate framework?
Moderator: Frédéric Desprès (Chief Operating Officer, UTC)
Keynote speaker: Bruno Sportisse (INRIA)
Participants: Anne Laurent (University of Montpellier), Arnaud Latil ( Sorbonne University), Olivier Wong (President of the VP-Num Association)

• 2:00–4:00 p.m. – Themed workshops

Three thematic workshops will be organized. They will provide an opportunity to present and discuss concrete examples of either existing applications or pilot projects, both in areas related to support functions and in the core missions of education and research. The topics covered will focus on a variety of applications: HR, public procurement, legal support, real estate, project support, student life, resource sharing, pedagogy, and research.
Topics to be discussed will range from public procurement policy in the Île-de-France region to the use of IAG at the Lyon Academy for HR management and at Jules Verne University; from the policy on support for research projects in Rennes to preparation for civil service exams and ECOS medical exams in Montpellier; and many other scenarios as well.

Moderators: Pierre Beust (SUPTICE Rennes), David Cassagne (University of Montpellier), Michel Verhaegen (Vice President of the Association of HR Directors in Higher Education, Director of Human Resources at the University of Picardie Jules Verne – UPJV).

List of workshop topics
Training and exam prep: Xavier Bailly (CRC Montpellier)
Training and ECOS prep: Kevin Yauy (University of Montpellier)
Procurement policy: Jérémy BAKKALIAN (Île-de-France Region)
HR management: Jérôme Blondon (Lyon Academy)
Support for Calls for Proposals: Nathalie Hauchard-Seguin (University of Rennes)
Legal Assistance: Jean-Michel Miel (JuriSup)
Energy Optimization: Bruno Nivard (Centrale Supelec)
Student Life POC: Pascal Pérotin (AMUE)
Academic Affairs Chatbot: Emmanuelle Hautin (University of Strasbourg, A-DSI)
Pedagogy and Student Life: Sébastien Sigiscar (Gustave-Eiffel University)
Research AI: Nabil Hathout (Toulouse Jean-Jaurès University)
Personal Assistant: Aurélia Carré de Lusançay (UVSQ)
Implementation of shared resources on a single site: Odile Jankowiak-Gratton (Toulouse Comue)

• 4:30–5:30 p.m. – Workshop presentations

• 5:30 p.m. – ADGS General Assembly

• 7:30 p.m. – Gala dinner at the Hôtel des Collections at MO.CO Montpellier Contemporain

Friday, July 4, 2025
Strategic Outlook

• 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. · Panel Discussion 2

Topics Covered: Is AI a Major Driver of Transformation for Institutions, or Just Another Issue for CIOs?

Moderator: Florence Housset, Chief Operating Officer, Sorbonne University
Keynote speaker: François Taddéi (Learning Planet Institute)
Participants: Renaud Monnet (Digital Lab Centrale Supélec), Emmanuelle Hautin (President, A-DSI), Pierre Jannin (Signal and Image Processing Laboratory, Inserm UMR 1099 – University of Rennes), Emilie-Pauline Gallié (IGESR).

• 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. · Roundtable 3

Development of a Comprehensive Roadmap
Moderator: Irène Gazel, Executive Director of Services at Comue de Lyon

Presentation of Corporate and Institutional Strategies: Methodological Considerations
Didier Raboud (University of Geneva),
David Cassagne (Vice President of Digital Affairs at the University of Montpellier),
Nadia Jacoby (Founder of “Simone et les Robots” and Vice President of Edtech France).

Implementation of resource-sharing initiatives within a cooperative framework: AMUE, Ragarennes, and the Mistral Project
, Simon Larger (AMUE),
, and Olivier Wong (Vice President for Digital Affairs at the University of Rennes, Ragarennes, and the Mistral Project).

• 12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. · Conclusion and Next Steps

Closing Remarks
, Yann Fergusson (Scientific Director of LaborIA)

• 2:30–4:30 p.m. · Guided tour of Montpellier's historic center

Relive Montpellier’s remarkable rise and the exceptional destiny it has forged over the centuries. A thousand-year journey through the narrow streets of the historic center, allowing you to experience the unique atmosphere of the Écusson district. The tour includes a visit to the triumphal arch or the mikveh (a medieval Jewish ritual bath) and the courtyard of a private mansion.

Practical Information

Please confirm your attendance by registering here (for ADGS members only):