Why was the University of Paris divided into thirteen universities in 1970?

The University of Paris was divided into thirteen autonomous universities in 1970 as a direct result of the widespread student protests and national crisis that occurred in May 1968.12

Following the unrest, which began with student grievances at the Nanterre campus and escalated into a massive national movement, the French government sought to address demands for radical change and the democratization of educational institutions. This led to the passage of the 1968 Orientation Act, which mandated a major reform of higher education. The primary goals of this reorganization were to decentralize the university system and provide students with greater participation in university administration.132