Committee for IT Services in Higher Education and Research

The Comité des Services Informatiques de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (CSIESR, pronounced "Xir") is a French association governed by the law of 1901, created in 1981 under the name "Club des Utilisateurs Mini 6" and renamed "Comité des Utilisateurs Mini 6" in 1984. It adopted its current title, CSIESR, in 1987. Its purpose is to contribute, together with all other interested parties, to the best possible operation — in the general interest of all users — of the computing resources available to the computer centres, IT services and information systems departments of higher education and research institutions. The association is aimed at establishments under the supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and offers its activities to all digital actors who join the association. According to its official website, it had 145 member establishments, 1,627 members and 4,398 person-days per year, and was approaching 45 years of existence in 2026. CSIESR is administered by a board of 9 to 15 people, all working in an establishment eligible to join, elected by the general assembly. The board meets several times a year. The Bureau is the executive body, composed of a president, two secretaries and two treasurers; deputies or vice-presidents may reinforce the Bureau. The association organises numerous events throughout the year: seminars, thematic days, training courses, national assises (conferences), and training on any topic, IT-related or not. Each year, more than 400 people take part in these events. CSIESR also publishes reference works for the sector, notably the "Livre Blanc" (White Paper) series; volume 3, "Maîtrise et optimisation du système d'information dans les établissements d'enseignement supérieur", was published in January 2011. The association maintains partnerships and working groups, such as the CSIESR/Esup Portail accessibility working group, and participates in international conferences such as EDUCAUSE.

The Comité des Services Informatiques de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (CSIESR) was created in 1981 under the name "Club des Utilisateurs Mini 6". The name referred to users of the Mini 6, a computer system used in French higher education and research institutions at the time. In 1984, the organisation changed its name to "Comité des Utilisateurs Mini 6". As the computing landscape evolved, the association broadened its scope beyond a single system. In 1987 it adopted the title CSIESR, reflecting its mission to serve all IT services and information systems departments of higher education and research establishments. Its stated purpose is to contribute, with all other interested parties, to the best possible operation — in the general interest of all users — of the computing resources available to the computer centres, IT services and information systems departments of higher education and research institutions. Over the decades, CSIESR has grown into a national community. According to its official website, by 2026 it counted 145 member establishments, 1,627 members and 4,398 person-days per year, and was approaching 45 years of existence. It organises numerous events throughout the year, including seminars, thematic days, training courses and national assises; each year more than 400 people take part in these events. The association also publishes reference works, such as the "Livre Blanc" series; volume 3, "Maîtrise et optimisation du système d'information dans les établissements d'enseignement supérieur", was published in January 2011. CSIESR maintains working groups, including a digital accessibility group run jointly with Esup Portail, and participates in international events such as the EDUCAUSE conference. Its activities are aimed at establishments under the supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and are open to all digital actors who join the association.

• 2026

  Approaching 45 years of existence; 145 member establishments, 1,627 members, 4,398 person-days per year.

• 2025

  Held the Assises 2025 in La Grande-Motte; conference replays published online.

• 2011

  Published Livre Blanc volume 3, "Maîtrise et optimisation du système d'information dans les établissements d'enseignement supérieur".

• 1987

  Adopted the title CSIESR (Comité des Services Informatiques de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche).

• 1984

  Renamed "Comité des Utilisateurs Mini 6".

• 1981

  Created under the name "Club des Utilisateurs Mini 6".

A non-profit professional association and community for IT staff in French higher education and research, focused on sharing best practices, training and collective representation.

• Assises nationales

  Annual national conference for IT professionals in higher education and research.

• Training courses and thematic days

  Seminars, thematic days and training sessions on IT and other topics.

• Livre Blanc (White Paper) series

  Reference publications on information systems management in higher education; volume 3 published January 2011.

• GT Accessibilité Numérique

  Working group on digital accessibility, run jointly with Esup Portail.

1. 1Accueil - CSIESRcsiesr.eu
2. 2Comité des services informatiques de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherchefr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Comité des services informatiques de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherchewikidata.org