University of Lausanne (UNIL)

The University of Lausanne was founded in 1537. Its purpose was to train pastors. It was the only French-language Protestant school of theology, and at the time enjoyed a high profile. As the centuries passed, the number of faculties increased and d es passed, the number of faculties increased and diversified until, in 1890, the Academy received the name and status of a university. In 1970, the university moved progressively from the old city of Lausanne, around the Cathedral and the Château, to its present site at Dorigny. The end of the 20th century witnessed the beginnings of an ambitious project aiming at greater co-operation and development among the French-speaking universities of Lausanne, Geneva and Neuchâtel, together with the EPFL. In 2003, two new faculties were founded concentrating on life and human sciences: the Faculty of Biology and Medicine; and the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment. For its students, lifelong learners and society in general, UNIL aims to be accessible to everyone and to provide high-quality education, all in an open and secure environment. It aims to support its students in their transition to employment and to ensure that society benefits from its activities. UNIL is at the service of public authorities, the economy and cultural circles and is committed to supporting the development of socially relevant skills through the education it offers. It shares scientifically rigorous expertise and participates in public debate. It offers its staff a high-quality working environment, conducive to career development, including continuing education and project development. It emphasises collective excellence and institutional social commitment. The Rectorate's objectives for the coming years are set out in the Plan of intentions , as an extension and embodiment of the values set out in its institutional Charter. The challenges posed by multiple societal transitions, the emergence of new knowledge, the occurrence of numerous crises and new ways of disseminating and using knowledge are calling into question the role and organisation of universities in our society. In this context, UNIL has set itself the mission of offering cutting-edge life choices and educational and professional paths that are intellectually, socially and personally transformative. UNIL engages its entire community and former students in using their knowledge to advance society. We encourage and support students, staff, faculty and alumni to think collectively about how their research, study and professional lives will benefit their region, the world and humanity. In this way, we will be able to inspire and accompany major societal changes so that our societies become safer, more secure and more stable in environmental, economic, social and cultural terms. With "living knowledge", its institutional motto, and the development of collective intelligence, UNIL affirms that knowledge is never static and that it benefits the common good. What we take for granted must be constantly called into question by research that is permanently on the move in order to learn about increasingly complex realities. UNIL receives its mission from the Canton of Vaud, which formulates it in general terms in its Law on the University of Lausanne. In fulfilling its mission, UNIL has chosen to focus on human beings and living organisms in their natural and social environment. The Charter is a founding document; it specifies the essential values through which UNIL defines its identity, in the interactions it develops with: knowledge its social, academic and political environment the members of its community. These values do not take an absolute form, a potential source of dogmatism; complementary or opposing, they coexist in a state of permanent tension. UNIL expects all its bodies and all its members to embrace its values and bring them to life. UNIL aims to produce and transmit knowledge that is validated by collective verification mechanisms, which imply honesty, independence, interdisciplinarity, debate and transparency. UNIL stimulates the ability to criticise and question the knowledge it transmits and develops. The construction of knowledge is in a perpetual state of flux; its transmission takes note of its historical development, its current state, emerging questions and future avenues of research. In order to fulfil its mission, UNIL demands an autonomy that guarantees the university dimension of its teaching and research. UNIL's autonomy demands that its bodies and members take full responsibility for the use of its resources. UNIL guarantees its members academic freedom in line with the teaching and research programmes of the university community. UNIL is driven by the desire to serve the community and contribute to its scientific, cultural, economic and political influence; it interacts with its social environment. UNIL considers knowledge to be a public good; it intends to make it available to society in order to address the major issues of our time in all their complexity. UNIL expects its researchers to constantly assess their responsibilities with regard to the potential consequences of their work. UNIL contributes to the education of citizens who are humanists, critical and responsible, autonomous and supportive, eager to constantly develop their skills and driven by a lifelong desire to surpass their achievements. ...view more