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PART Issues and Perspectives ofHigher Education

In France unemployment, especially youth unemployment, caused by an economic depression since the middle of the 197O's, has been exposed as a serious social problem. According to a survey conducted by Le Monde, a newspaper with a national circulation, most university students are very sensitive to the menace of unemployment, because they were brought up in the social circumstances of an economic depression . In France, where public qualifications are valued, in order to get out of the menace of unemployment and gain a worthwhile job, the acquisition of a high-level qualification is an essential prerequisite. As students expect institutions of higher education to provide them with such a qualification, they usually commit themselves to learning earnestly. Many students define the main objective of their learning as preparing for their vocational life in future or as meeting requirements of their future workplace. In this connection, many of them make the severe observation that the content of their higher education is not necessarily relevant to their future employment.

In order to give relevant assistance to students in their campus life, the Centre National des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CNOUS) and the Centre Regional des Oeuvres Univenitaires et Scolaires (CROUS) carry out various welfare services for university students. The various services include: the operation and management of student dormitories and student restaurants, the promotion of cultural and leisure activities for students. The promotion of foreign student exchanges; the provision of opportunities for contacts between students and business firms; and assistance to students in finding part-time jobs.

The national government provides scholarships for students enrolled in universities and other institutions of higher education. The amount of a scholarship is determined on the basis of parental income and various family backgrounds (the number of children supported by the parents. the health conditions of parents and their children. the distance between the university and the residence of the student, etc.) In 1987 the amount ranged from 3,834 francs (approximately 90,000 yen) to 13,248 francs (approximately 320,000 yen). About 15% of university students were benefiting from government scholarships in 1987.

It should be added that students enrolled in some state grandes ecoles are provided with stipends, in addition to scholarships. They are assisted more favorably than university students.

Chart -4-4 Opinions of University Students in France