Paris-Saclay University has emerged as a revolutionary project in France’s educational history. It is not merely a university but an educational cluster that has elevated the reputation of the French educational system to new heights internationally. The visionary leadership of the French government, active participation of the industrial sector, and deep cooperation of research institutions have played important roles in its formation. Paris-Saclay is known as France’s “Ivy League,” having established its identity globally not only in educational standards but also in research innovations. Its campus is not just a collection of buildings but a living and dynamic academic township, where students, researchers, and industrial experts work together. This university breaks traditional educational boundaries through its unique structure and promotes interdisciplinary cooperation. Its rapid rise in international rankings has created astonishment in educational circles. This article will present a comprehensive review of Paris-Saclay University’s establishment, its structure, research achievements, international cooperation, and future vision.

The history of Paris-Saclay University covers an interesting chapter of French educational reforms. Its beginning occurred in the 1950s when the French government decided to disperse educational institutions while feeling the increasing pressure of Paris city. Initial planning started in the 1960s when the French government allocated a vast area in the southern suburbs of Paris for educational and research purposes. In the 1970s, the first research institutions and engineering schools began establishing their campuses here. In 1991, this area was officially recognized as the “Paris-Saclay Science and Technology Cluster.” The project gained new momentum in the 2000s when French President Nicolas Sarkozy declared it a project of national importance. In 2014, the university obtained its current legal status and in 2015, it received IDEX (Initiatives of Excellence) status, giving it priority in government funding. During this historical journey, the project faced numerous challenges, including cooperation with local authorities, land acquisition issues, and creating harmony among different educational institutions. Today, Paris-Saclay is considered the most successful model of France’s educational policy.

The academic structure of Paris-Saclay University is completely different from traditional universities. It is actually a powerful alliance of 19 universities, research institutions, and Grandes Écoles. Each included institution benefits from shared resources and infrastructure while maintaining its identity. Its central institution is the University of Paris-Saclay, which includes 14 faculties, including science, engineering, health, social sciences, and humanities. Additionally, this alliance includes prestigious Grandes Écoles like CentraleSupélec, ENS Paris-Saclay, and Institut d’Optique Graduate School. Research institutions include names like CNRS, CEA, INSERM, and INRIA. This unique structure promotes interdisciplinary cooperation, where engineering students can participate in medical research and humanities scholars can work on data science projects. Each institution works independently in its area of expertise but participates jointly in large research projects and international partnerships. This structure has provided Paris-Saclay with a flexible and dynamic educational environment.

Paris-Saclay University is recognized globally for research excellence. The university has special expertise in physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering fields. Since 2012, its researchers have won 2 Nobel Prizes, 10 Fields Medals, and 4 Abel Prizes. The center of the university’s research policy is promoting interdisciplinary cooperation and industrial partnerships. Researchers here have made revolutionary discoveries in fields like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biomedical engineering. The university has 300+ research laboratories, 80% of which have been given “A+” grade by the French government. Regarding research standards, Paris-Saclay has consistently achieved high positions in the Nature Index. The secret of the university’s research successes lies in its strong infrastructure, immense resources, and international cooperation. Researchers here have access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources, enabling them to solve complex research problems. The focus of the university’s research activities is “Societal Challenges,” under which researchers work on problems that have immediate importance for society.

An important secret of Paris-Saclay University’s success is its deep relationships with the industrial sector. The university has established partnerships with major companies in defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, and technology sectors. These include global companies like Thales, Safran, Airbus, Total, Sanofi, Orange, and Air Liquide. These industrial partnerships work on three main axes: joint research projects, industrial chairs, and incubation centers. The university’s “Innovation Cluster” has 300+ startups and SMEs working, benefiting from the university’s research capabilities and industrial partnerships. An important aspect of industrial collaboration is the “dual diploma” program, under which students receive training in industrial organizations during their education. The university has established the “Paris-Saclay Entrepreneurship Ecosystem,” which provides young entrepreneurs with training, financial support, and mentorship. The success of industrial collaboration can be gauged from the fact that every year, institutions associated with the university file 500+ patents and 50+ new technology companies are established. These industrial links not only provide financial resources for the university but also create employment opportunities for students.

Paris-Saclay University has established its identity internationally very rapidly. Its rise in global rankings is enviable – in the Shanghai Ranking 2023, it was ranked the 15th best university in the world, while its number in QS World University Ranking is 60. It is included in Europe’s top 10 universities. Regarding international students, Paris-Saclay’s policy is extremely comprehensive – currently, 9,000 international students from 130+ countries are studying at the university, which is 30% of total students. The university has cooperation agreements with 400+ international universities, including prestigious universities from the USA, China, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Regarding international research cooperation, the university has established numerous international research networks, including European University Alliance, Global Research Council, and International Research Laboratory networks. The secret of the university’s international success lies in its diverse cultural policy, curriculum according to international standards, and globally recognized degrees. The university has provided special facilities for international students, including French language courses, cultural adaptation programs, and international scholarships.

Paris-Saclay University gives special importance to the innovation environment. The university has established the “Paris-Saclay Innovation Cluster,” which acts as a bridge between research and industry. This cluster includes 20 incubation centers, 15 accelerator programs, and 8 technology parks. The center of the university’s innovation policy is “From Idea to Market,” under which students and researchers are helped to give commercial form to their discoveries. The university’s “Entrepreneurship Center” supports 200+ new business projects every year. The university has allocated special funds for innovation activities, including “Innovation Grants,” “Proof of Concept Awards,” and “Startup Loans.” The university’s innovation successes can be gauged from the fact that since 2020, institutions associated with the university have filed 1,500+ patents and 300+ new technology companies have been established. The secret of the innovation environment’s success lies in the university’s “Innovation Ecosystem,” in which research institutions, industrial partners, investors, and government agencies work together. The university has established the “Paris-Saclay Venture Capital Fund,” which invests in new technology companies.

Paris-Saclay University’s campus is a vast educational city, spread over an area of 5 square kilometers. The French government has invested 7 billion euros in its construction. Campus construction began in 2009 and its first phase was completed in 2019. The campus construction has adopted state-of-the-art construction technology and sustainable design principles. 40 new buildings have been constructed on the campus, including libraries, research laboratories, lecture theaters, student residences, and recreational facilities. The campus’s main building is “Institut des Sciences et des Technologies,” spread over an area of 80,000 square meters. The most prominent feature of the campus is its “Central Park,” spread over 50 hectares and containing 500 local plant species. Environmental protection has been given special importance in campus construction – all buildings meet LEED Platinum certification standards. The campus has solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and modern arrangements for maintaining greenery. Special attention has been given to modern transportation arrangements in campus construction, including electric buses, cycle sharing systems, and automated parking systems.

Paris-Saclay University’s academic programs feature a unique blend of quality and diversity. The university offers 300+ undergraduate programs, 500 master’s programs, and 200 doctorate programs. These include fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and arts. The characteristic of the university’s academic programs is their interdisciplinary nature – students have the freedom to take courses in other fields along with their main subject. The university’s “Double Degree Programs” are quite popular, under which students can obtain degrees in two different fields simultaneously. In the university’s “Industry-Integrated Programs,” students receive training in industrial organizations during their education. The university has established a “Quality Assurance System” to maintain educational standards, under which all programs are regularly reviewed. The success of the university’s academic programs can be gauged from the fact that 90% of students get employment within 6 months after graduation. The university’s “Lifelong Learning Programs” have provided opportunities for skill enhancement for professionals.

Student life at Paris-Saclay University provides a comprehensive educational experience. More than 30,000 students study at the university, of which 9,000 are international students. The university has provided 8,000+ residential units for students, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. The university’s “Student Life Center” has 100+ student organizations working, including cultural clubs, academic societies, and sports teams. The university’s “Sports Complex” is of Olympic standard, including swimming pool, gym, and sports fields. For student health and well-being, the university has established a “Student Wellness Center,” where medical facilities, psychological counseling, and nutritional advice are provided. For students, the university has established a “Career Development Center,” which helps them find employment opportunities. The university’s “Cultural Programming” includes music concerts, theater performances, art exhibitions, and academic lectures. The university has also established numerous scholarships and financial aid programs for students. To promote student participation, the university has established a “Student Governance System,” under which students can participate in the university’s decision-making process.

Paris-Saclay University’s research infrastructure is counted among the world’s best research centers. The university has 300+ research laboratories, where 9,000+ researchers work. The university’s “Synchrotron SOLEIL” is one of Europe’s best scientific instruments, operating at 2.75 GeV electron energy. The university’s “Data Center” is included in Europe’s large data centers, with storage capacity of 100 petabytes. Research in nanotechnology and microelectronics fields happens in the university’s “Clean Rooms.” The university’s “BioMedical Research Center” is dedicated to state-of-the-art medical research, where work is happening on cancer research, genomics, and regenerative medicine. Research on nuclear fusion, solar energy, and hydrogen fuel cells is happening in the university’s “Energy Research Center.” Research in machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing fields is happening in the university’s “Artificial Intelligence Lab.” For maintenance of research infrastructure, the university has deployed 500+ technical staff. The university’s research equipment and facilities are also available to international researchers, which has promoted international research cooperation.

Paris-Saclay University has made several notable initiatives in the sustainability sector. The university has set the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. In this regard, the university has installed 20,000 square meters of solar panels, which meet 40% of the university’s energy needs. Under the university’s “Sustainable Mobility Plan,” 50 electric buses are running on campus, while parking facilities for 2,000 bicycles have been provided. Under the university’s “Waste Management System,” 80% of waste is recycled. Under the university’s “Water Conservation Program,” rainwater is collected and used. The university has worked on the “Green Roofs” project, under which gardens have been planted on the roofs of 10 buildings. Under the university’s “Biodiversity Protection Program,” 500 local plant species have been preserved on campus. The university has implemented a “Sustainable Food Policy,” under which local and organic food is preferred on campus. The university’s sustainability initiatives have been recognized internationally and it was awarded the “Green University Award” in 2023.

Paris-Saclay University has deep connections with the local community. The university has established a “Community Engagement Program,” under which scientific education is provided to local school students. Free lectures for the general public are arranged every week in the university’s “Public Lecture Series.” 50,000+ visitors come to the university’s “Science Museum” every year. The university has established a “Local Business Support Program,” under which technology and mentorship are provided to local businesses. Under the university’s “Healthcare Initiative,” free medical examination facilities are provided to the local population. The university has established “Cultural Exchange Programs,” under which joint programs are arranged with local cultural institutions. Projects for solving local problems are being worked on in the university’s “Social Innovation Lab.” The university’s “Employment Center” has created 5,000+ employment opportunities for local people. The university’s social impacts can be gauged from the fact that it contributes 2 billion euros annually to the region’s economic development. The university’s social services have been given “Public Service Mission” status by the French government.

Paris-Saclay University’s future plans are highly visionary. The university has prepared a “Strategic Vision Plan” for 2030, which has three main axes: research excellence, international cooperation, and social impact. Under the research axis, the university has set the target of establishing 10 new research laboratories in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and environmental science fields. Under the international cooperation axis, the university has set the target of establishing 100 new international partnerships. Under the social impact axis, the university has set the target of contributing 3 billion euros annually to the local economy. Under the university’s “Campus Expansion Plan,” 20 new buildings will be constructed by 2027. The university has started a “Digital Transformation Initiative,” under which all educational and research activities will be digitized. Under the university’s “Talent Attraction Program,” the target is to bring 500 top researchers from around the world to the university. There is a plan for 5 billion euros investment for the university’s future success, which will consist of government funds, industrial partnerships, and international grants.

Paris-Saclay University has achieved extraordinary successes in global rankings. In the Shanghai Ranking 2023, it was ranked the 15th best university in the world, which is the highest rank in the history of any French university. Its number in QS World University Ranking is 60, while in Times Higher Education World University Ranking it is at 93rd position. Paris-Saclay’s strong points in these rankings include research quality, international cooperation, and industrial impact. In the Shanghai Ranking, it is ranked 7th in the world in physics, 11th in mathematics, and 14th in computer science. In employer reputation standard in QS Ranking, it is ranked 45th in the world. The university has set targets for further improvement in rankings for the future – to be included in top 10 in Shanghai Ranking and top 30 in QS Ranking by 2030. To achieve these targets, the university has developed strategies to improve research quality, increase the number of international students, and expand industrial partnerships. For improvement in rankings, the university has established a “Global Ranking Improvement Task Force,” which is working to improve the university’s performance according to ranking standards.

The story of Paris-Saclay University is the tale of an educational project’s success that has set a new example by changing the traditional educational structure. The main reasons for its success include visionary leadership, strong political commitment, industrial partnerships, and international cooperation. The university has proven that when educational institutions work on principles of alliance and cooperation, they can achieve extraordinary successes. The Paris-Saclay model is an example not only for France but for the entire world, from which other countries can bring reforms in their educational systems. The university’s future plans are highly hopeful and indicate that it will further increase its influence on the global educational landscape. The story of Paris-Saclay University is not just the story of a university but the story of a vision that has established new standards of education, research, and innovation. This university is moving towards becoming a center of knowledge and wisdom for coming generations, and its journey towards a bright future continues.