Environmental challenges and social responsibility

Welcome to the page dedicated to environmental issues and social responsibility at the University of Montpellier!

Heritage and commitment: A tradition of progress

The University of Montpellier has a history of over 800 years of science and innovation. In keeping with this tradition, the University has been committed to environmental and social issues for many years. The UM's ongoing commitment is recognized both nationally and internationally, whether through THE Impact ranking, for which the University is ranked first nationally in "health and well-being", or the prestigious Shanghai ranking, highlighting research and teaching quality in ecology, water management and agriculture.

Large-scale mobilization

The University's commitment is resolutely human-oriented. This is reflected internally in the adaptation of teaching to contemporary issues, as well as in the implementation of numerous actions for both students and staff, notably in favor of inclusiveness, equality and diversity. This commitment permeates the school and its entire community through the development of several framework documents focusing on ecological transition and social responsibility, each with its own visibility and objectives.

Deploying the action plans resulting from these strategic documents implies, on the one hand, a strong mastery of different areas: social, societal, ecological, and on the other hand, a substantial investment aligned with the recommendations of bodies such as the Ministry, the IPCC, the High Council for Climate or even the Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility (SD&SR) guidelines. Far from being merely financial, these investments are above all human.

Indeed, these schemes and plans cannot stand on their own; it is all the University's players who bring them to life and deploy them. From project leaders to users, the entire community plays a vital role in achieving the objectives set. The UM supports, shares and constantly develops this common vision by supporting staff in the development of social and environmental skills. The aim is to promote a culture of curiosity and learning that extends beyond the university-student relationship and permeates all levels of the organization.

Beyond the University

Externally, the UM contributes to the dissemination of knowledge by organizing conferences, debates, events and exhibitions open to schools and the general public. As a public institution, the UM seizes every opportunity to strengthen the links between science and society. Faced with the challenges of the future, this connection is essential to ensure that society benefits from the advances, knowledge and innovations developed by the University of Montpellier and its laboratories. This is why the University actively promotes responsible research and is committed to enriching teaching by integrating the challenges of the ecological transition and sustainable development.

The University thus trains tomorrow's managers to take greater account of the social, societal and environmental specificities of our times. Education is a pillar of the functioning of our societies, and the University is proud to promote high-quality training and teaching that is firmly anchored in the issues of today and tomorrow. Beyond training, we also promote curiosity wherever it is needed.'This is particularly true of the opportunities for exchange and sharing between researchers and civil society that the UM encourages by organizing a variety of events, all of which provide opportunities to strengthen and perpetuate the links between science and society.