22 - Reflections on INRIA and the role of Gilles Kahn

Summary

Introduction

I have spent 29 years of my life with INRIA. I had seen the beginning of the institute in 1967. I was appointed president of the institute in 1984 and I left it in 1996, after 12 years as president.

Gilles Kahn joined IRIA in the late 1960s and made his entire career in the institute. He passed away while he was president, after a courageous fight against a dreadful illness, which unfortunately did not leave him any chance. I knew him for more than 35 years and I have an accurate vision on the role he played in the development of the institute. More globally, I have seen his influence in the computer science community in France and in Europe. This article gives me the opportunity to understand what was behind such a leadership and to recall some of the challenges that INRIA has faced during more than three decades. What we can learn from the past and from the action of former great leaders is extremely helpful for the future.

This is probably the best way to be faithful to Gilles and to remain close to his thoughts.

Historical IRIA

Why IRIA?

INRIA was born as an evolution of IRIA.

IRIA was created in 1967 as a part of a set of decisions taken under the leadership of General de Gaulle. It was a time of bold decisions towards research at large, based on clear political goals.