After the enriching visits to Pisa and Pavia, the DIRASA project concluded its cycle of field visits in Europe at the University of Rouen Normandie on February 24 and 25, 2025. This event, organized within the framework of WP4 “Towards Greater Financial Autonomy for Universities in Research,” aimed to exchange best practices in strategic monitoring and performance, with the participation of European and Tunisian university partners.

A strategic and operational approach to research management

The first day of the visit focused on the strategic and operational management of research, particularly the missions and challenges of a Research and Valorization Directorate. Emphasis was placed on the importance of effective governance, the structuring of research units, and the necessity of an integrated approach to foster innovation and scientific collaboration.

Participants also had the opportunity to explore concrete examples of research structuring and organization through visits to the ECODIV and M2C laboratories. ECODIV stands out for its work on biodiversity and ecological dynamics, while the M2C laboratory studies coastal and continental morphodynamic processes. These visits provided tangible illustrations of the challenges and innovations in applied research.

Focus on research infrastructure and scientific valorization

On the second day, participants visited the GPM and CORIA laboratories. GPM, with its expertise in materials physics and advanced microscopy, plays a key role in innovation in nanotechnology and advanced materials. Meanwhile, CORIA excels in research on combustion, plasmas, and fluid dynamics, contributing to studies on decarbonization and hydrogen technologies. Discussions highlighted the importance of research infrastructure and technological platforms in supporting scientific advancements.

The afternoon was dedicated to the challenges, opportunities, and perspectives of research management. The conferences emphasized the significance of international rankings, scientific integrity, open science, and the link between research and society, underlining the crucial role of research in societal and economic development.

Speakers also addressed the critical issue of research project funding and valorization, particularly regarding financing, strategic partnerships, and collaborations with industry.

A visit rich in insights

This field visit to Rouen provided Tunisian partners with a unique opportunity to discover the French model of research governance and to share experiences on best practices in institutional autonomy and performance. It also contributed to strengthening cooperation between institutions and identifying avenues for improving research management in partner universities.