An Inclusive School

As part of its corporate social responsibility strategy, Audencia works daily to create a more open, egalitarian and diverse society. The school develops numerous initiatives to integrate, support and promote the success of all talents, regardless of social background, gender or disability.

Social openness

BRIO: the Cordée de la réussite in Nantes

BRIO is the social openness and equal opportunity program shared by four of Nantes' "Grandes Ecoles" (Audencia, Centrale Nantes, IMT Atlantique and Oniris). 

Launched in 2006, the program was awarded the "Cordée de la réussite" label (French Educational Guidance Program) by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research in 2008.

The Sirius curriculum for vocational baccalaureates

Many Vocational Baccalaureate holders enter the workforce, sometimes by default, because they fear they won't be able to pursue higher education.

Audencia offers them a new field of opportunity. Starting in September 2022, it will open a one-year program dedicated to these high school graduates.

To enable them to improve their skills so that they can continue their studies at Audencia with confidence.

Discover the Sirius course

Adapted funding and curriculum

Audencia, with the support of its Foundation, helps to remove the obstacles, especially financial ones, that too often cause candidates to choose other educational paths.

Students at Audencia thus benefit from numerous financial support programs: an increase in the number of apprenticeships, a partnership with Toutes Mes Aides (National Assistance Program), which provides access to all national and regional aids, loans negotiated with partner banks, scholarships from its own funds and from the Audencia Foundation (more than one million euros donated in 2020), etc.

See funding assistance

Gender equality

Fight against sexist and sexual violence

Audencia has a long-standing commitment to gender equality, and integrates this issue into our teaching, research and human resources policies.

Combating sexism and gender-based violence and abuse

Audencia is committed to fighting all forms of sexism and gender-based abuse. Repeated, discriminatory, degrading, humiliating comments and behavior, or behavior that violates the integrity of individuals, of any kind, are contrary to the values upheld by our school.

Any act of sexual violence or abuse constitutes an offense punishable under the conditions set forth in the Penal Code and may result in disciplinary action, regardless of the initiation of criminal proceedings.

The subject of harassment at work or school is still very sensitive. It can be difficult to recognize that you are a victim of harassment, despite the visible consequences on your health (loss of self-confidence, anxiety), on your social relationships (loss of confidence in those around you, withdrawal), on your studies (failure to pass exams, dropping out), on your life (loss of self-esteem), or on your professional career (loss of interest, isolation from the team).

Therefore, our institution strives to create a caring and inclusive climate within its community. Our system is based on:

  • A contact person for Sexism and Gender-based  Abuse issues
  • A nurse on duty on each campus
  • A 24/7 helpline
  • A network of local external stakeholders
40 %
Mix of students in each of our programs by 2025
10K
women trained in #Négotraining by 2025
100
points on the Gender Equality Index by 2025

Negotiation Training

The pay gap between women and men in France is now 25%. To reduce this gap, support for wage negotiations is one of the main levers, without denying the importance of raising awareness in companies and combating stereotypes.

For this reason, Audencia's Positive Impact Chair in partnership with the women's networks and public and private stakeholders of the Nantes metropolitan area  CSR platform offers a free 3-hour collective Negotiation training program led by professional equality experts and members of the public (HRDs, managers, employee unions, etc.) who provide women with the keys to successful negotiation. Open to the general public, the school also offers this module to Audencia students and employees.

See the NegoTraining website

Disability

Audencia embraces the uniqueness of each individual as a strength to be nurtured for personal fulfillment and success. An inclusive policy for young people with disabilities has been in place for several years on our campuses to support the pursuit of higher education by this group, but also within its internal teams to promote the inclusion and support of people with disabilities in employment.

This comprehensive support, developed with local and national stakeholders, ranges from schooling (competitive exams, adjustment, student life, daily life) to career development and employment assistance.

It can be adapted to best meet the needs of each community. 
Disability can be temporary or lifelong. It can be acquired at birth, but it can also occur throughout a person's life, education or career. That's why you can always talk to Audencia's disability consultant.

Interviews are confidential and allow us to determine each person's personal needs in order to promote well-being and comfort on our campuses.

2 %
of learners with disabilities by 2025; 3% by 2030
6 %
of employees with disabilities by 2030
10 %
deducted from tuition for every student with RQTH through 2025

Focus on Neurodiversity

Fast, tree-like thinking, heightened creativity, sensory or emotional hypersensitivity, etc.

Neurodiversity is defined by neurological, cognitive and/or psychological functioning that deviates from norms (HIP, HEP, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, etc.). The specificities of neurodiverse individuals can be categorized by a particular type of functioning that reflects abilities and difficulties (which may be similar to a disability).

Society's perception and inclusion of these neurodiverse individuals varies widely, which is why at Audencia we are committed to supporting diverse learning profiles in their education and careers.
 
The majority of neurodiverse individuals have to make considerable efforts and develop strategies to hide their difference and fit into society.  Audencia wants to support these unique profiles to live better with their specificity and to help them reveal their talents.

By valuing neurodiversity, Audencia wants to open the field of possibilities for a more just, creative and less conformist world.

LGBTQI+

Inclusion of LGBTQI+ people

Since 2015, Audencia has signed the LGBT Charter of L'Autre Cercle to promote the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and non-binary people, within its internal teams and its student community.

With the well-being of our internal stakeholders in mind, we work to create an inclusive climate where everyone can find their place and experience their education or career with respect for their identity. This is reflected in our teaching and research, as well as in the vigilance we bring to our human resources practices and programs.