May 68: contributions to the birth of the first technology university in France

Abstract

In May 1968 there were many demonstrations by students and workers throughout France and in several other countries. Paris was the epicenter and the movement became known as May 68. Among the students' claims was the desire for better physical and didactic conditions at universities and the expansion of the French university system. The aim of this study is to present the contributions of May 68 to the expansion of the university system in France, especially for the creation of the university of technology. The study is bibliographical. The results show that the movement motivated the approval of Law no. 68-978, dated November 12, 1968, which addresses the orientation of French higher education, expanded the number of universities in the country, created a new map for universities, promoted the division of the University of Paris in 13 units, from 1971. The May of 1968 was also an additional reason to create the first university of technology of France, University of Technology of Compiègne, in 1972. It concludes that the May 68 was the concrete opportunity that was lacking for the realization of long reflections in France to reshape the structure of the university since the era of Napoleon Bonaparte.