UCO – Université Catholique de l’Ouest (Catholic University of the West)

A multidisciplinary university, UCO hosts more than 12,000 students on its campuses in the west of France and overseas, offering over 100 training programmes. With its strong tradition of academic excellence, its strong territorial footing and its international network of partners, UCO offers an ideal learning environment.

The research cluster brings together researchers from all campuses of UCO and its associated institutions: 215 tenured and associate researchers and 92 doctoral students in six faculties. UCO researchers work in close collaboration with researchers from the universities of Angers, Nantes and Strasbourg. The research programmes chosen by the UCO’s Academic Council pool together and promote existing and future research projects by aligning them and creating synergies under the unifying theme of “Technological developments and Society.” Eight research projects have been selected for the next three years.

Aiming to continue producing high quality research and to also have a role to play in supporting companies and brainstorming with them, UCO has for several years entered into a contractual relationship with certain partners wishing to invest in an educational mission. The creation of Chairs is one of the main thrusts of the applied research developed. This different form of partnership offers companies new insights into a particular issue, through a more comprehensive approach whereby they can get real feedback on the very nature of their activities. From the creation of specialised streams and the organisation of workshops or tailor-made programmes, to the creation of applied studies and cases, the publication of articles and books or the organisation of seminars or study days, each Chair has specific components, allowing companies and UCO to mutually benefit from each other’s experience.