Did you know ? The University of Toulouse is one of the oldest in France
793 years old. It is the number of years of existence of theUniversity of Toulouse. This seniority positions it as the oldest university in France, just after the Sorbonne, in Paris. The Independent Opinion you trace its history.
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A birth in 1229
The University of Toulouse was created when the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1229, under the reign of Louis IX, when the Count of Toulouse was defeated. The latter then abandons the eastern part of his states to the king. “One of the clauses of the treaty provides for the maintenance for ten years of fourteen professors: theologians, canonists and dialecticians”, informs the University of Toulouse on son site. The medieval era saw the emergence of several faculties.
“It was at the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century that theUniversity of Toulouse is at its peak, particularly the faculty of law with prestigious jurists, the doctores Tholosani”, explains the site of the University. And to add: “at the end of the fourteenth century the number of students is presented at a thousand, exclusively male population, from all walks of life and quite subversive towards the established order, the capitouls, even its masters”, indicates the site.
A turbulent history
“To speak of the University in France in the period from the old regime to 1896 is incorrect, they are mainly groups of autonomous Faculties as well as a series of large schools in Paris”, explains theToulouse University on his site. In those days, four different universities coexisted in Toulouse. This is the Faculty of Letters, Law, Sciences and Catholic Theology.
Particular importance is given to that of law. For good reason, as under the old regime, it has three quarters of the students and one of the most prestigious teaching staff. Nevertheless, in a general dilapidated and miserable situation of the provincial faculties, the Toulouse faculties also suffer from the lack of means of higher education. It was not until the 1980s that initiatives such as those of Louis Liard and Ernest Lavisse appeared. These men allowed a greater autonomy to the Faculties so that the municipality of Toulouse endows the city with cultural institutions worthy of its national role.
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A revolutionary law
The University continued to experience difficulties linked to “Parisian” centralization until November 12, 1968, the date of the orientation law for higher education, known as the Edgar Faure law, in reference to the former Minister of Education. ‘ ” National Education. This legislative act marks a new era with the creation of a new type of establishment: “public establishments of a scientific and cultural nature” (EPCSC).
It is based on three fundamental principles which are autonomy, participation and multidisciplinarity “for a consequent gain in autonomy”. In addition, the former faculties are giving way to Teaching and Research Units (UER) grouped together in the Universities. This is how the pink city saw the birth of three universities well known to Toulouse students. These are the Universities Toulouse 1 Capitole, Toulouse 2 Jean-Jaurès and Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier. They are now an essential part of its identity.
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