This year, first-year students in the Grande Ecole Program (PGE) embarked on a new venture with the creation of AM Défense, a new association dedicated to promoting careers, issues, and players in the defense sector, both civil and military.
Creation of the AM Défense association on the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille
This initiative, led by a group of students passionate about the field, is part of a desire to strengthen understanding of industrial and institutional defense ecosystems, while developing partnerships with industry players for the benefit of students.
One main mission: Creating opportunities for students in connection with the defense sector
AM Défense's main objective is to facilitate meetings between engineering students and key organizations in the field.
The association aims to offer students greater access to a strategic sector that is often overlooked but rich in professional and technological opportunities.
Since its creation and obtaining its status, its members have already had the opportunity to participate in various concrete actions to contribute to its influence, notably by participating in the forum on engagement in defense professions at the Catholic University of Lille, alongside other student associations in the field, as well as civilian and military actors.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Colonel Poujol for inviting us to this forum, which has enabled us to forge links with student associations in the field of defense at La Catho, ESPOL, and HEI," said Simon Carrel, president of the association.
This initial opportunity enabled us to establish direct contacts with public institutions and companies in the sector, as well as to identify initial opportunities for internships and immersions for students interested in these career paths.
EnhancingArts et Métiers visibilityArts et Métiers institutional stakeholders
The association also wishes to contribute to reestablishing Arts et Métiers the landscape of partners recognized by defense institutions.
With this in mind, AM Défense has already initiated discussions with:
- The student communities of La Catho, ESPOL, and HEI, in order to plan joint events
- Organizations such as IHEDN, to address contemporary issues from a geopolitical and societal perspective
- Several national entities, including the DGSE, with a view to exploring avenues for academic or professional collaboration.
This initiative aims to build a sustainable network of contacts, serving both current graduates and future generations.
The association's members also aim to offerArts et Métiers studentsArts et Métiers activities related to the sector, such as a visit to the helicopter carrier in Le Havre and company tours, and hope to be invited to the next Eurosatory International Defense and Security Exhibition, which will take place from June 15 to 18.
The dynamic community life on campus has been enriched once again
Created in December under the status of the 1901 law, AM Défense already has nearly 50 members. The association has set up a dedicated communication system, an internal community, and an organization by clusters in order to structure its projects.
In its first year of operation, the association has already set itself ambitious goals and even hopes to eventually contribute to the development of educational and institutional events such as Gadz'Innov, for example, in order to involve partners and issues related to the field of defense.
"This first year of AM Défense's launch is a key step in defining our areas of focus, forging and consolidating partnerships, and establishing our activities as a permanent feature of campus life. A handover is planned in a year and a half when we leave the Lille campus to choose our third-year specialization. Between now and then, we will work to structure our activities to ensure the association's long-term viability," adds Guillaume Duval, one of the association's communications officers.
With a motivated team, a growing network of contacts, and a clearly defined vision, AM Défense aims to become a recognized partner for industry players and a source of opportunities forArts et Métiers students.
"We would obviously be delighted to collaborate with students from other Arts et Métiers campuses, with a view to laying the foundations for an inter-campus structure for the future of the association!" concludes Johayne Ribeiro De Abreu, the association's communications officer.
Congratulations to everyone on these first steps in the community life of AM Défense!
For all inquiries: artsetmetiers.defense@gmail.com
