In few words

The Laboratory of Computer Sciences is composed by 36 Professors and Assistant professors, 31 PhD candidates and 10 PhD. The Lab is structured into five teams whose research teams mainly concern the conception of performing algorithms for solving high combinatorial problems, providing decision aid and data mining.

The application fields of the research activities are mostly oritented towards the medical sector (technical aid for physical disabilities, autism, resolution of logistic problems in hospitals, image analysis for diagnostic aid, interactive data visualisation, etc.) but also towards the banking sector (authentication of handwritten signatures) or towards the industrial production (collaborations with SKF, Primagaz, Procter & Gamble, etc.).

The lab is organised in 5 research teams:

• databases and natural language processing (BDTLN)
• visual data mining and biomimetic algorithms (FOVEA)
• handicaps and new technologies (HaNT)
• scheduling and control (OC)
• pattern recognition and image analysis (RFAI)

We start 2009 with an increase of the number of publications in journals and an increase of the number of books (or participation). The effort that we have supplied the past few years is now sensitive and it is necessary to maintain this effort. We also start with two new projects which have been accepted by the French National Research Agency (ANR). Two more projects have been submitted at the end of December. The research collaborations on a national scale are now numerous and well recognized. The secretariat of the Lab is now reinforced by the arrival of a full-time secretary and a part-time employee. We now have all the resources to carry on our research work in the best conditions.

Year 2009 will be a decisive year on several fronts.

First of all, on a national scale, the announced reform concerning the status of professors and assistant professors has to appear among our major preoccupations. The project of reform decree will necessary have in mid-term a strong impact on the higher education but also on research in France. Each of us has to take a stand and to express an opinion on the subject.

Next, on a regional stand, the setting up of the PRES (centre of research and higher education) with Orleans is a project that concerns us directly. Our involvement in the working groups is important, and we have to contribute actively to the establishment of the outlines of the PRES in order to get the best positive aspects out of it and to hope for improvements for both universities.

Last but not least, let us no forget, on a local scale, our commitment towards our departments, in order to help them propose actions and trainings that will allow them to be best known and more attractive towards students. Without student, no PhD student, no project, no research. The strategic importance of this new year is clear for everyone. In 2009, being active and reactive will be more important than ever.

2, January, 2009

J-C. Billaut, Director