The University of Montpellier Remains Committed to Combating COVID-19
For several months now, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced institutions to adapt their operations to new constraints.
Ensuring educational continuity and strengthening support for students facing difficulties, maintaining remote work across departments and protecting essential on-site staff, continuing research and supporting partner companies… The University of Montpellier successfully adapted during the lockdown and is now moving forward with its plan to resume operations.
Since March 16, the University, like the rest of society, has had to adapt to unprecedented rules. There were numerous urgent challenges, starting with ensuring the continuity of education for the 49,000 students enrolled atUM. Students with disabilities have not been forgotten; the Handiversité service and the Joint Service for Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (SCMPPS) remain available to answer everyone’s questions.
Thanks to the efforts of all teaching staff and the Directorate of Information Systems and Digital Technology (DSIN), distance learning was rolled out across the board in record time via the Moodle platform andtheUMdigital workspace (ENT). Numerous books, journals, and databases that are normally available for consultation were made accessible by the Joint Documentation Service. By-appointment loan and return services have been set up at the university libraries.
As for exams, they have already begun in many departments. We have devoted our full attention to the issues of internships, study abroad programs, and enrollment, and solutions have been found thanks to the crucial commitment of faculty members and the deans of the UFRs, schools, and institutes. Our efforts are now focused on organizing the start of the new academic year in September.
Supporting Students in Need
Business continuity has, of course, depended on digital access for everyone. Nearly 350 computers provided by the Occitanie region have been distributed since April 16 by the university’s Logistics Department and Campus Life Department. €6,000 in digital connectivity assistance has already been allocated to the most financially vulnerable students to help them sign up for a data plan, upgrade their current plan, or purchase a 4G dongle. Amendments to internship agreements and support for students participating in international exchange programs were quickly put in place.
To go a step further and support those most severely impacted by the crisis, theUM Solidarity and Student Initiative Development Fund (FSDIE social)UM already allocated more than 150,000 € in financial aid and streamlined the application process so that funds can be disbursed in less than 24 hours. This measure complements the one-time €200 payment offered by the government to students in financial distress who have lost an internship or job, as well as to students from overseas territories who have remained in mainland France.
The SCMPPS continues to provide medical and psychological consultations by phone, as does the University Health Center (CSU), which offers its services both in person and remotely. Measures to combat isolation have also been implemented; students have been able to adapt their exercise routines thanks to the “On continue de bouger” website set up by the SUAPS, or explore cultural content offered through the Art & Culture Department’s Facebook page.
Supporting staff
From the start of the lockdown, a steering committee was formed under the leadership of the university president, Philippe Augé, to ensure the institution’s administrative and institutional operations, in consultation with the Health, Safety, and Working Conditions Committee (CHSCT). Remote work was encouraged whenever the situation allowed, and here again, the DSIN played a decisive role in setting up a secure and functional digital environment.
For employees whose on-site presence is essential, all recommended protective measures have been implemented by facility directors. Masks, face shields, and hand sanitizer have been provided as needed. A daily monitoring system to compile a detailed report on staff present on site continues to be maintained. During this difficult time, the Human Resources Department and theUM support staffUM occupational physicians and psychologists, clinical psychologists, coaches, social service assistants, and disability liaisons) remain more attentive than ever to the needs of the staff.
Since May 11, the plan to resume in-person activities has been implemented. Employees who were unable to work remotely have been able to gradually return to the office in accordance with the specific guidelines established by the institution: limiting the number of people working simultaneously in the same department, regulating meetings and gatherings while continuing to prioritize electronic communication, and restricting public access to only essential services. To date, approximately 15% of the workforce has returned to in-person work.
Continue research activities
Now more than ever, research is at the center of everyone’s attention, and Montpellier’s scientific community has lived up to its reputation for excellence since the start of this crisis. At this time, the urgent priority is, of course, to find an effective treatment. Examples include Professor Jacques Reynes’ coordination of randomized trials on the effects of hydroxychloroquine at Montpellier University Hospital (CHU) and the antibody research conducted bythe Montpellier Institute for Infectious Disease Research (IRIM). Screening is another essential area where innovation plays a key role, as demonstrated by the work on automated reading of rapid saliva tests in the project led by the Montpellier-based sports technology company Vogo, which brings together the CNRS, the Montpellier University Hospital, the Sys2Diag laboratory, and the biotechnology company SkillCell.
Numerous studies conducted in our laboratories are also helping us better understand the origin and nature of the virus we are facing. One example is phylogenetic tracing using the PhyML software developed by Stéphane Guindon of the Montpellier Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics (LIRMM). Others focus on improving global health surveillance, such as the European Mood project, which brings together researchers from 25 institutions, including the University of Montpellier and CIRAD. In addition, a key initiative on COVID-like infectious diseases could be launched soon, with the goal of exploring ways to prevent such epidemics by taking a broad approach to the issue—from the source (animal reservoirs) to human diseases, including the pathways viruses use to evolve from one environment to another.
More broadly, it is the entire research community that, in record time, was able to refocus their ongoing research projects to gain new insights into COVID-19. I-SITE MUSE is providing these teams with comprehensive financial support totaling €250,000.
In sectors less directly involved in the response to the pandemic, restrictions on in-person work and the expansion of remote work were also implemented to ensure staff safety. Only those operations whose interruption would have resulted in the loss of essential research were maintained. For the 24 startups on campus, the university decided to waive certain fees to support them during this particularly challenging time for young companies. As with administrative and technical staff, since May 11, the plan to resume activities has allowed researchers to gradually return to their laboratories.
Solidarity with Healthcare Workers
Beyond its own campus, the University of Montpellier has also directed its solidarity efforts toward healthcare workers by organizing a medical supply drive. Research teams from the CNRS, Inserm, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, ENCSM, and the University of Montpellier—which make up the 120 institutions of the MUSE consortium ( )—mobilized en masse in Montpellier and Nîmes, along with other teams throughout the region (notably in Perpignan and Banyuls-sur-Mer). Gloves, masks, and gowns were collected and delivered to staff at the Montpellier University Hospital (CHU) under the leadership of Research Mercier, theUM Vice PresidentUM charge of Research .
The FabLabs at the Montpellier-Sète and Béziers IUTs, as well as the Pro3D platform (Polytech), are making a valuable contribution by manufacturing protective face shields for healthcare workers and, now, forUM staff.