Éric Bauce’s candidacy as the new rector of the University of Geneva has caused a stir in Switzerland.
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According to several European media, the appointment of a Canadian rector at the head of the University of Geneva is going rather poorly.
According to news site Heidi.news, on January 11, the University of Geneva Assembly elected Éric Bauce as the institution’s new rector. The mandate of the current Rector ends next July.
However, to become official, this election must be approved by another body, the Council of State.
“This election must be confirmed by the Council of State, and this is where the shoe pinches. Can’t a rector be a native?” Heidi.news formula.
“The press release’s oratorical caveats indicate that this appointment is on eggshells,” we add.
Also according to this website, the Assembly held several hearings and consulted its Strategic Orientation Council, which consists of seven members including leaders from foreign universities.
“The tender published on June 22, 2022 resulted in only one house candidate,” we learn.
By December there were only two candidates left, both foreigners: one Belgian and one Canadian.
“[…] A number of politicians, both on the right and left, then exclaimed that this was impossible for Unige [Université de Genève] either operated by a foreigner,” reports the site.
“The assembly of the alma mater preferred the candidate from Quebec to the Belgian Jean-Michel Rigo. The Council of State could annul everything,” we continue in today’s edition of the Tribune de Genève.
Mr. Bauce has competed twice in the Laval University rectorate race in the past and has been defeated both times.
More details to come.