The École Polytechnique will soon open the “Bernard Arnault Institute of Mathematics and Basic Sciences” at the heart of its Palaiseau campus, in Essonne. L’X announced this Thursday, June 25, the creation of a new organization in the name of the boss of LVMH (owner Problems)which will be partly financed by a €50 million donation from Bernard Arnault. “The École Polytechnique announces the creation of the Institute of Mathematics and Basic Sciences, the construction of which was made possible thanks to the efforts of Bernard Arnault”indicated in a press release from a prestigious military engineering school, of which the billionaire is a former student (class of 1969).
These 50 million euros will be invested. “through his family company Agache” and will be used to finance the construction of this building intended to house “about 400 faculty researchers, doctoral students and postdocs from l’X”according to a school press release. The new organization will be responsible for a program called the Mathematics Residency. “whose mission will be to host high-level international researchers, organize conferences and thematic semesters, and develop innovative interdisciplinary projects”Polytechnic specifies.
“He challenged us, and then gave us 500 thousand euros”: how large schools court wealthy patrons
Future building expected “by 2030”indicates l’X, adding that an architectural competition will be announced. “initiate building design”. Institute “then we will have to attract other financing”– said the school’s general director Laura Shobar in an interview with the publication Figarowelcoming “a historic gift for both X and French fundamental research”.
“It was here at the Polytechnic, while preparing for competitive exams, that I learned intellectual rigor and nurtured the vision that would then guide my entrepreneurial journey.”– greets Bernard Arnault, – quote from a press release from the engineering school. He believes that“Through this Institute l’X will be perpetuated” on “striving for excellence and scientific courage”.
However, the project may be criticized by some students. On June 12, the graduation ceremony at l’X was briefly interrupted by several students wearing masks of TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné and Bernard Arnault, who denounced partnerships with private companies.
The team behind this action also condemned this Thursday “Instrumentalization of “science” and public schooling in the service of the interests of a billionaire who accumulates his wealth through exploitation, displacement, tax optimization and government assistance.”. “This institute named after him after his entry into the Academy of Sciences (moral and political)Bernard Arnault embodies the symbol of elite collusion caused by the collapse of the public budget for higher education and research, benefiting a few schools and social reproduction.– the team adds in a press release.
Bernard Arnault at the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences: a unique heritage
The criticism was rejected by the school’s CEO. Thus, Laura Shobar assured Figaro that the project was “long awaited and widely supported by the academic community”. “This reflects the conviction of our classes and our professors in the absolute need for the Polytechnic to maintain demanding and strong links with economic players.”– she confirmed, while admitting that “Other points of view, minorities may appear”.
“Patrons give us the necessary room to maneuver to launch the most ambitious projects”– added Laura Chaubard, recalling that the Fondation de l’X is conducting its third fundraising campaign.
(with AFP)