ParisTech is back in Colombia

Fethi Bedioui (Chimie ParisTech – PSL), Cheryl Feuillet-Palma (ESPCI Paris – PSL) et Emmanuel Simantov (École des Ponts ParisTech) were in Colombia from 6 to 10 March and visited ParisTech’s historical partners in the country, i.e. Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PU Javeriana) and Universidad EIA.

At each UNAL campus, whether in Bogota, Manizales or Medellin, as well as at the two other universities, the delegation presented the ParisTech schools and the ParisTech International Admission Program to a very large student audience. The program aroused great interest among these young people who were extremely curious, interested and enthusiastic.

Each meeting was also an opportunity for the delegation to first discuss with the Office of international relations of each campus. They also reviewed the results of the students who participated in the 2022 campaign. The ParisTech schools were pleased to admit many Colombian students, but the preparation of the scientific test remains a point of improvement - both for the Colombian universities, which have set up a specific preparation, and for the ParisTech schools, which must provide more precise feedback on the students' results. UNAL, in particular, wanted to extend the cooperation agreement to new departments, which is excellent news for strengthening collaborations!

The delegation also met with representatives of the science and engineering faculties at PU Javeriana, University EIA, UNAL, both in Bogota and in Manizales and Medellin. In particular, they visited new facilities (libraries and practical work) at EIA and the laboratories and teaching rooms of UNAL in Medellin and Bogota. In general, the delegation was able to observe an effort to modernize teaching facilities (in industrial engineering at UNAL in Medellin) or research facilities (repair of premises and reception of a Physical Properties Measuring System - PPMS - at UNAL in Bogota).

In addition to visiting the university partners, the delegation met with Pierre-Marie Biotteau, Director of Campus France, and David Bessière, Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation, which allowed them to review the existing scholarship programs. In Medellin, the delegation also met with a French student from Arts et Métiers who is currently studying at EIA in the frame of a double degree and is very satisfied with his studies in Colombia.

This mission was therefore very fruitful, and beyond the renewed contact, the interest of all the partners and schools in strengthening the collaboration is confirmed. See you now on June 1 for the opening of the 2023 ParisTech International Admission Program campaign!