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Newsletter 18: Research – the backbone of all ParisTech engineering programs
Interview with Pierre Haquette, Dean of Studies at Chimie ParisTech – PSL and Anne Morel, Dean of Studies at Arts et Métiers
How does your school go about familiarizing students with research throughout their course?
PH : All our engineering students are introduced to research right at the start of their studies. During induction week we run a round table discussion with lecturers and researchers to give students an insight into the school’s research activities. Practical assignments systematically include a literature review, so students learn how to find information, how to read and summarize articles, and how to write up their findings in the form of a scientific article. At the end of their first year, students take part in an innovation week, which includes sessions on research dissemination and tech transfer, and visits to research laboratories. In parallel to this, some students carry out exploratory lab work of their own. The PSL UROP program helps fund these research placements for some students (approx. 10% in 2023/2024). In their second year, alongside standard practical sessions, students work on innovation projects based on a scientific methodology: inspiration, ideation, implementation. All students must do at least one long scientific/technical internship, and most opt to do placements in academic or industrial research laboratories. There are two research laboratories and four or five startups on the school’s site, so students are immersed in a research environment at all times. Over half of teaching is done by permanent lecturers, all of whom are active researchers and draw on examples from their own research to illustrate the concepts covered in their classes.
AM : Across the country, the school has 15 high-level research laboratories. A significant part of the curriculum is delivered by lecturers who are active researchers and can thus bring elements of their own research work into the classroom. We organize special days to familiarize students with the world of research, provide information about master’s courses and PhDs, and showcase inspiring professional achievements through talks with guest speakers. We place significant emphasis on applied research, as the school has very strong ties with industry. We also invite our students to work on projects related to the school’s research activities. Lastly, we’ve set up a professional student support scheme which includes small group sessions and one-to-one meetings. This allows us to present researchrelated roles to our students and help each student plan their career in line with their values.
Why have you made research such an important part of the curriculum?
PH : Research-based teaching and learning is very important because it kindles an interest in innovation, helps students become critical thinkers, and develops their skills in project management, research dissemination and tech transfer. It also helps students understand why it is important to keep abreast of the latest scientific developments, and improves their written and oral communication skills in both French and English.
AM : In today’s industrial sector, research and innovation are crucial. Graduates from Arts et Métiers are able to define, explain and implement innovation strategies using the resources available to them. Moreover, thanks to the research and technology transfer work undertaken by our lecturers and researchers, we are able to update our teaching content to make sure it reflects the technical reality of industrial stakeholders. The French government has awarded the school the Carnot label in recognition of its strong commitment to applied research.
Why should graduate engineers consider doing a PhD?
PH : Around a third of our students go on to do a PhD. This allows them to build on their all-round engineering training to become experts in a specific field. It reinforces the skills mentioned above, helping students consider their results and progress with respect to the state of the art and the work of their peers. At PhD level there is more emphasis on collaboration and a stronger international focus too. Those who persevere acquire in-depth expertise in their chosen field. A PhD is a globally recognized qualification, whereas the prestige associated with the French engineering degree is more specific to France.
AM : If students want to work overseas, we advise them to do a PhD, because this is recognized worldwide. Moreover, a PhD is often a prerequisite for the highest leadership positions. Last year, a former student who’d been working as an R&D engineer at Safran for eight years completed a PhD with us as he’d realized that he needed this for the next steps in his career. For over ten years, our management team have been working to create a research culture and structure our research activities and use them to inform our teaching practices. The impact of these actions on our international indicators is clear. Currently, around 30% of our students follow a research track as part of their engineering studies. This is promising, but we can still do better when it comes to encouraging students to pursue their studies at doctoral level.