Sophie Bejean, departure of the rector of the Montpellier Academy

Sophie Béjean was appointed rectrice of the Montpellier Academy, rector of the Occitanie Academic Region, Chancellor of Universities in February 2020. It was an uncertain period for France soon confined with a whole new educational organization to develop within schools. That same year, Professor Samuel Paty was murdered.

By decree of the President of the Republic, Sophie Béjean leaves her functions for the Academy of Lille, the Academic Region Hauts-de-France and will be replaced on March 26, 2025 by Carole Drucker-Godard.

Rapper with the economic world

The starting ceremony of the rectrice Sophie Béjean took place at the rectorate of Montpellier on March 21, 2025 in the presence of representatives of federations of parents of pupils, students, executives of the rectorate, presidents of universities, elected officials … Michael Delafosse, the mayor-president of the Montpellier metropolitan area, Patricia Mirallès, Minister responsible for memory France paid him a warm tribute, and underlined his sense of listening and dialogue.

Professor in economic sciences specializing in the health field, the rectrice Sophie Béjean declined for five years the main lines of the Ministry of National Education in schools of the departments of the former Languedoc-Roussillon region: Hérault, Aude, Gard, Lozère and Pyrénées-Orientales.

The rector has notably worked for a rapprochement with the economic world. From her appointment, she launched the Schools Business clubs, one of the objectives of which is to offer periods of internships in companies and to widen the choices of students’ orientation in an academy characterized by great impoverishment. The rector has established partnerships with different bodies – companies, local authorities, consular chambers, associations, in order to promote collective work for youth.

Priority of leveling the level and school ambitions

In January 2025, as an assembly with all the school heads for the preparation of the next school year, the rector recalled the priority of elevation of the level and school ambitions-the Montpellier Academy experienced an important self-censorship effect of students and families of disadvantaged backgrounds. She asked for vigilance for scholarship students and orientation decisions, so that social and gender determinisms are not reinforced in the context of class councils, and special attention to ASE children (social assistance to childhood).

To promote social diversity, the “mixed excellence” label aims to offer attractive training. As early as September 2025, children of the primary level will be welcomed at the Lycée International (EPLEI) Lycée Jules Guesde in Montpellier.

Rector Sophie Béjean encouraged firmness in the face of racism and anti -Semitism. From the start of the school year, she mobilized the teams – fire in front of the Grande Motte synagogue in Hérault in August 2024.

In the Montpellier Academy, a values ​​pole offers a program of prevention training for discrimination acts. Training includes the challenges of secularism – the upcoming installation of an academic council for secularism.

For projects already initiated, there is the launch of the Academy of the Sea – label awarded to establishments promoting activities and trades of the sea, 2025 is the year of the sea; The “Ambition Studies Health” in Limoux (Aude), Alès (Gard) and Mende (Lozère) to encourage ambitions in rural areas and provide for future trades in health.

Fatma Alilate

Sophie Béjean, rector of the Montpellier Academy