Xavier Leroux: "The University, a civil and defense reference"
The president of the Université de Toulon unveils a strategic contract for a dual civil and military vocation, unique in France.
As registrations for the new academic year point to stability, or even an increase in student numbers, the Université de Toulon is starting the new term with a clear and ambitious strategic roadmap.
Xavier Leroux, its president, detailed the main areas of the new Contrat d’Objectifs, de Moyens et de Performance (COMP) signed before the summer with the Ministry of Higher Education.
This contract, which comes with €4.2 million in funding over five years, including €1.15 million starting in 2026, validates a unique direction in France: making Toulon a university with dual expertise, civil and defense.
A dual status, unique in France
At the heart of the Toulon strategy lies a major innovation that distinguishes it from all other French universities. While many institutions collaborate occasionally with the defense sector, Toulon has chosen to elevate this dimension to the level of a global strategy.
"Today, the Université de Toulon is the only one to have raised this dual civil and defense dimension to the level of the institution's strategy"
This orientation is concretely reflected in three areas. In research, researchers commit to working within a confidential framework with partners such as Naval Group, Thales, or the DGA. In training, strengthened partnerships are established, such as the one with the military schools of Draguignan for a master's degree in security and defense. Finally, for student life, particular emphasis is placed on promoting commitment to the reserves.
Professionalization and "masterization"
Beyond this specificity, the COMP pursues two major objectives in terms of training. The first is professionalization, notably through apprenticeships. The university hopes to reach the milestone of 900 apprentices, after growing from 600 to more than 800 in recent years.
Advertisement
The second focus is "masterization", which aims to increase the proportion of students continuing their studies up to a five-year degree (bac +5) level.
"We have the desire to increase the number of young people moving towards five-year degrees, which also corresponds to the needs of the territory"
The objective is to increase this rate from 25% to a level in line with the national average, in order to better meet the expectations of the local economic fabric, which is particularly in demand of qualified engineers and executives.
The "student rhythm", a priority for success
The university is also placing student support at the center of its concerns, through the concept of "student rhythm". This global approach covers the entire journey, from post-baccalaureate guidance to managing daily life.
It aims to balance class time, internships, and work-study programs, but also to adapt the organization of the week to the needs of students, which differ between the La Garde campus and downtown Toulon.
Mental health also remains a priority, in the face of an increasingly strong demand for psychological support.
New buildings to strengthen the presence in the city center
This new academic year is also marked by major real estate projects in the heart of Toulon. The first, "Les Terrasses de PI", an innovative third-place, is expected to be delivered by the end of the year.
The second major project is the imminent acquisition of the "La Rode" building, opposite La Poste. This site will house new teaching spaces, offices, and rooms for events, with an opening hoped for the start of the 2028 academic year.
These developments are part of the metropolitan area's desire to strengthen the student dimension of the city center, where new student housing is also planned.
Photos: Philippe OLIVIER.