In February and March, the TAUST student association invites you to discover the history of the School of Medicine through an escape game on February 12, 13, 21, and 26, and then on March 6, 9, and 17, right in the heart of the Historic Building.
Discover the history of the School of Medicine in a new light
Four dates in February are available for you to discover or rediscover the history of the School of Medicine in a unique way. Locked in a room inside the historic building, you’ll need to use your wits and work as a team to solve the puzzles designed by TAUST students.
You’ll have 45 minutes to take on this innovative challenge—and to find out who locked you in and why!
In short, plenty of puzzles to solve and a mystery to unravel await you. It’s sure to make your evening memorable!
Over the course of its 800-year history, the School of Medicine has witnessed many significant events, and some of the leading figures in French medicine studied there.
Don't miss this extraordinary event!
We look forward to seeing you on February 12, 13, 21, and 26, and March 6, 9, and 17 at 7:40 p.m., 8:55 p.m., and 10:10 p.m.
Our students are talented
These fun evenings are brought to you by the Montpellier University Amateur Theater Association (TAUST).
Established in 1989, this mainstay of student community life in Montpellier organizes numerous workshops and performances. Feel free to follow their activities on their website and social media to stay informed.
For the very first time, the Agnes McLaren Association is organizing a medical award with a prize of €4,000! Applications are open to students at the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine who will defend their clinical thesis in 2020 or 2021, as well as those who defended theirs in 2019. See below for registration details and the eligibility criteria for your thesis.
An award sponsored by the Agnes McLaren Association, recognizing a dissertation that focuses on women's or children's health.
The Agnes McLaren Association, founded in 2018, works to preserve the memory ofAgnes McLaren, a Scottish woman who was the first female physician to graduate from the Montpellier School of Medicine in 1878. In honor of this physician, who dedicated her life to caring for the most disadvantaged women and those excluded from society, the association wishes to award a thesis prize for the first time.
Thus, in 2021, the association is launching the Agnes McLaren Thesis Prize. This award recognizes an original doctoral dissertation focusing on the health of women in precarious or vulnerable situations, or on the health of children exposed to precariousness and/or vulnerability. The award, worth €4,000, will be presented in November 2021 following a preliminary selection by a committee and review by a jury composed of healthcare professionals.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this dissertation award, candidates must meet several eligibility criteria:
Open to our students
Criterion 1: Be a student at the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine
2019–2020–2021
Criterion 2: Defend one's thesis in 2019, 2020, or 2021
Thesis Topic
Criterion 3: Defend a dissertation whose topic addresses the health of the most disadvantaged or even marginalized women, or the health of children exposed to precarious conditions and/or situations of vulnerability
Post-dissertation project
Criterion 4: Thesis leading to an operational project
What are the steps to enter the contest?
The first edition of the McLaren Thesis Award will take place in five phases, as follows:
before Nov. 15, 2020
Submission of Applications
Apply online, exclusively through the Agnes McLaren Association’s website.
Pre-selection phase
Pre-selection phase for the theses received by the pre-selection committee. 5 theses were pre-selected.
Dec. 2020
Dec. 27, 2020
Selection Notice
Notification of selection sent to the 5 shortlisted candidates.
Final Selection Phase
Review of the 5 dissertations preselected by the jury. Candidates must submit their dissertations and post-dissertation work by January 24, 2021.
Jan.–Feb. 2021
Sept. 2021
Award Ceremony
Presentation of the Agnes McLaren Award during the official ceremony.
We hope many of you will enter the competition for this award! So get writing, and good luck on your theses!
Our Faculty’s Historic University Library will open its doors on Thursday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. for a special candlelit evening as part of the 4th annual Night of Reading…
A moment frozen in time, by candlelight…
To mark the 4th annual “Night of Reading” and as part of the celebrations for our Faculty’s 8th centennial, the University Medical Library is opening the doors to its reading room and collections within the historic building. Come (re)discover the space during this unique candlelit experience…
Throughout the tour of the galleries and collections, visitors are invited to listen to accounts of various events and anecdotes from the history of the Montpellier School of Medicine and its professors. The readings will be presented by student volunteers.
Attention! Space is limited! – Meet at the University Library at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020
Students, become readers!
The BIU is looking for volunteers to read these texts. Sign up to be a “one-night reader” at the library by sending an email to: biu-patrimoine-bumedecine@umontpellier.fr
The texts to be read will be provided in advance. You will receive a book voucher in exchange for your participation.
In 2020, our Faculty will celebrate its 800th anniversary! To mark this 8th centennial, we have put together a program featuring more than 34 events throughout the year. These events are dedicated to the local, national, and international medical, scientific, and academic communities, as well as to the general public in Montpellier. Here’s a look back at the program announced this Thursday, December 19, at a press conference.
A little history…
Founded on August 17, 1220 , our Faculty— formerly known as the “University of Medicine—Universitas Medicorum” —was established in Montpellier after Cardinal Conrad of Urach, the apostolic legate of Pope Honorius III, granted it its first charter. These statutes thus enabled the various medical schools in Montpellier to unite into a single community. This facilitated exchanges between the different medical cultures—Jewish, Arab, and Christian—that coexisted in Montpellier, which at the time stood at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations.
The medical university then flourished for eight centuries, guided by a unique academic spirit: humanism, rooted in the teachings of Hippocrates.

“Hippocrates envisioned a form of medicine that engages with the sciences, philosophy, religions, climate, and the environment—in other words, a form of medicine that is a science of humanity. This enduring tradition is a hallmark of the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine.” – Prof. Thierry Lavabre-Bertrand, Vice Dean
And today…?
While our school is the oldest in the world still in operation, it is nonetheless one of the most modern. This is evidenced by the 2017 opening of our new Arnaud de Villeneuve Health Campus. Equipped with the latest simulation-based teaching technologies, it allows our students to practice while adhering to the key principle of “never try it on a patient for the first time.”
But these technologies have in no way diminished the values that our Faculty has upheld for eight centuries. Medical humanism thus remains a central focus of our teaching, leading us to develop—for the first time in France— workshops dedicated to the patient-caregiver relationship.
Events Throughout 2020
To celebrate this anniversary and these values of humanism, multiculturalism, and scientific curiosity, we have put together a program packed with events from January through December 2020.
Our hope? That the various communities—academics, healthcare professionals, and the people of Montpellier—will be able to (re)discover our Faculty and join us in celebrating medicine and its history through a variety of scientific, educational, and recreational events. Exhibitions will also punctuate this calendar, showcasing our heritage.
“We will be hosting high-level events.For example, a symposium featuring leading international scientific publishers, a symposium on ‘Humanity and Science’ exploring medicine and society and the public’s skepticism toward scientific facts, (…). We will also have sessions on ‘ethics and cancer,’ ‘gender equality in health,’ ‘medicinal plants,’ and a day dedicated to contemporary history and the major advances in medicine during the 20th century.” – Michel Mondain, Dean
Our students will also take center stage with the organization of an International Student Gala in June, to mark the visit of the Coimbra Group, Europe’s leading network of universities. They will also be honored at the Agnès McLaren Thesis Award ceremony in November.
Finally, there will also be fun and festive events, including the TAUST game nights and the Murder Mystery Nights at the Manoir du Crime…
To learn more…
- Watch the Press Conference Again
- Press Kit / Program
- Midi Libre – 800 Years of the School of Medicine: 10 Events You Won't Want to Miss
- La Tribune – The Montpellier School of Medicine Will Celebrate Its 800th Anniversary
The School of Medicine wishes you a very happy holiday season! During the holidays, the School (and all of its departments) will be closed from the evening of Friday, December 20, through January 5. In the meantime, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday break…
Annual closure: From the evening of Friday, December 20, 2019, through Sunday, January 5, 2020, inclusive.
Reopening: Monday, January 6, 2020
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020!
This Monday, December 9, come out in large numbers to the Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus! You can have all your vehicle’s safety checks performed for free as part of our “Students, Road Safety, and the Environment” initiative. It’s the perfect way to drive with peace of mind as the holiday season approaches!
Renewal of a Partnership with Lycée Pierre Mendès France
The safety of our students is priceless! That is why the University of Montpellier (UM) and the Faculty of Medicine are renewing their partnership with the Lycée Pierre Mendès France and the Hérault Prefecture for the third consecutive year, as part of the initiative: “Students, Road Safety, and the Environment.” The event, which is completely free , will take place on our Arnaud de Villeneuve Health Campus on Monday , December 9, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free pre-inspection services for students' vehicles
Students will be able to have their vehicles inspected for FREE as part of a pre-inspection.Students from partner high schools, supervised by their teachers, will conduct the pre-inspections. Any issues that could result in the vehicle being sent back for a re-inspection during the official technical inspection will be brought to the attention of the students who brought their vehicles in.
A road safety awareness booth will also be set up in the atrium (main hall). Staffed by volunteers and attended by Catherine Mallet, Road Safety Coordinator for the Hérault Prefecture, this booth will offer various road safety awareness activities.
The option to retrofit at-risk vehicles
Next, vehicles at risk can be returned to the high school students, who will perform the necessary repairs in their workshops. Once again, this service will be completely free! It’s your chance to drive safely without skimping on savings… So come one, come all!
"Students, Road Safety, and the Environment" Campaign
– Monday, December 9, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. –
Arnaud de Villeneuve Health Campus, 641 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud – 34000 Montpellier
From November 18 to 22, UM is joining the fight against homophobia with a themed week. Check out the week’s program here, including the street art workshops planned on our Nîmes campus!
Combating Homophobia in the Workplace
According to the annual report from the organization SOS Homophobie, 2018 was a dark year for LGBTQI+ people, marked by a surge in homophobic incidents. Such violence is also evident in the workplace and has prompted the University of Montpellier to become the first French university to sign the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender commitment charter issued by the association l’Autre cercle.
The UM aims to strengthen this commitment during Anti-Homophobia Week, taking place November 18–22, by inviting this association of LGBTQI+ professionals to a roundtable discussion on the topic “Managing Diversity.” This will be the first session of dialogue with university staff, aimed at promoting diversity management in all its forms and
vigorously opposing hatred and prejudice.
Trans: Shaping Society
On November 20, the UM is hosting a public screening of Lukas Dhont’s film “Girl,” about a young girl born male who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. This understated film, which strikes a balance between societal commentary and adolescent intimacy, will be followed by a discussion moderated by the Trans Division of the “Fierté Montpellier Pride” association.
Street art workshops on our Nîmes campus
Throughout the week, street art workshops aimed at raising awareness about the fight against homophobia will be offered to students and staff at the University of Montpellier. Cole, the artist leading the workshops, will also hold several exhibitions of his work on various campuses of the University of Montpellier.
Free screening of Lukas Dhont’s film “Girl,” open to the public, on November 20 at 7 p.m. at the Aimé Schoenig Student Center, Richter Campus, Rue Vendémiaire.
Street Art Workshop at the Faculty of Medicine, Nîmes Campus: November 14, 2020.
On October 1, 2, and 3, #ShareYourPower by donating blood! Come see the EFS team in the UPM lobby on the ADV Campus to donate!
Donating blood isn't rocket science!
October is here, fall is in full swing, and with the All Saints’ Day school break, Halloween is just around the corner. To encourage as many people as possible to get involved both before and during the All Saints’ Day break, the EFS teams are playing on the stereotypes associated with this holiday to show as many people as possible that donating blood isn’t rocket science.
1,000 blood donations are needed every day in Occitanie
With school break approaching, they remind us that everyone’s participation is essential throughout October to meet the need for 1,000 blood donations every day in Occitanie. Don’t let your blood run cold for nothing: the rule is clear for the month of October—one donation or one curse! Our friendly vampires are waiting to welcome your act of solidarity—with some treats to boot. For those who haven’t donated yet, we invite you to take advantage of this spooky month to face your fear of needles: there’s no point in getting all worked up when you know this simple act saves lives. Don’t wait any longer! #ShareYourPower
Who can donate?
It is recommended that you do not come on an empty stomach and that you drink plenty of fluids before and after donating.
The main requirements for donating blood:
- To be in good health,
- Be between the ages of 18 and 70,
- Weigh more than 50 kilograms and have never received a blood transfusion.
In the following cases, donations must be postponed by:
- 7 days after completing a course of antibiotics;
- 14 days after an infectious episode;
- 4 months after an endoscopy, a piercing, or a tattoo;
- 4 months after traveling to a country where malaria is prevalent.
Where can I donate?
It couldn't be easier—just come to the UPM lobby on October 1, 2, or 3 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.!
As it does every year, the Faculty is very pleased to welcome the organizers of Cin’éthique, a program born out of a collaboration between the Association Carabine Montpelliéraine (ACM) and the Languedoc-Roussillon Regional Center for Ethical Reflection, which is based within our Faculty. Its mission is to stimulate ethical reflection on health issues by contrasting clinical reality with its artistic representation. Check out the program for this new academic year here!
Cin’éthique Program, 2019–20 Edition
Oct. 1, 2019
My Nighttime Companion
Cancer and Caregivers: Toward a Broader Scope of Care?
Dec. 3, 2019
Carole Mathieu
Occupational Health: What Are the Risks and Prospects?
Feb. 4, 2020
The Medical Association
Being a Doctor in the 21st Century: Toward a Redefinition of Humanism?
April 7, 2020
Precious
Health Care and Society: What Is the Ethical Framework for Inequalities in Access to Health Care?
Detailed Schedule for the Evening of October 1, 2020
The first Cin’éthique session of the 2019–2020 academic year will be held this Tuesday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Anatomy Lecture Hall of the School of Medicine.
The concept is simple: a film followed by a panel discussion on a health-related topic that explores ethical considerations by bringing together perspectives from different backgrounds—doctors, patients, and members of civil society . Admission is free and open to everyone.
For this screening, the film to be shown will be “Ma compagne de nuit,” a 2011 film by Isabelle Brocard
- Synopsis: Julia, an architect who appears to have it all, decides to hire a housekeeper. But the young woman soon realizes that Julia has terminal cancer and needs someone to keep her company as she nears the end of her life. A powerful and deep bond gradually forms between the two women as they share these final moments of life together…
Next, a discussion on the topic “Cancer and Caregivers: Toward a Redefinition of Care?” brought together a panel of various stakeholders directly or indirectly affected by this issue:
- Prof. Nadine HOUEDE (Professor of Oncology, ICG – Nîmes)
- Dr. Virginie Perrotin (Ph.D. in Palliative Care, ICM – Montpellier)
- Ms. Anne-Chantal Granier (palliative care nurse, ICM – Montpellier)
- "Vivre comme avant" Association (Montpellier)
Through the lens of palliative care for cancer, we will explore the concept of the caregiver (professional, volunteer, parent, family member) and the need for their recognition, particularly in the context of chronic illnesses. Furthermore, this will also be an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between expert knowledge and lay knowledge, as well as between professional care and “amateur” care (in the noble sense of the term).
Visit the Cin’éthique project’s Facebook page
Downtown Montpellier: Historic Building
2 rue École de Médecine
CS 59001
34060 Montpellier cx 2
04 34 43 36 00
North Montpellier
641 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud
34070 Montpellier
04 34 43 35 00/01
Nîmes
186 Chemin du Carreau de Lanes
CS 83021
30908 Nîmes cedex 2
04 66 02 81 81
Montpellier Botanical Garden
34000 Montpellier
















