On the theme of the world's major cities, a team of six engineering students has been organizing the 58th edition of the Nuit des Fignoss, the traditional gala of the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille, for several months. We meet Corentin Fauvergue, a second-year engineering student and President of the 2019 edition.
"Organizing the Fignoss gala is above all about managing a large-scale project," explains Corentin Fauvergue. For the engineering student, this means familiarizing himself with a range of different roles: project management, communication, finance, managing relationships with companies, and even sponsorship.
More than just organizing a party, it's a real opportunity to prepare for professional life!
The Gala, its organization, and its representative objects are part of the educational projects. "The event ties in perfectly with what we've seen in class! The gala souvenir, historically an ashtray, is designed to make use of all the campus workshops: high-speed machining, foundry, forge, woodworking, etc. but also requires knowledge of areas such as flow management, business organization, budget management... And above all, how to motivate a team to work. Everything we learn at school," adds Corentin Fauvergue. The presidency of the Nuit des Fignoss also involves a multitude of encounters: with technicians, the school's support services, and all campus users. "We have to reconcile the preparation of the gala with everyone's requirements. We can count on the support of these players to help us organize the rooms or give us advice."
A highlight in the life of a class of engineering students, the Gala des Fignoss traditionally marks the integration of the new class. It is scheduled to take place immediately after the initiation of first-year students. "This event undeniably helps to forge a Gadzarts community." Former classes and families will also be present for the occasion.
Organizing a gala is a huge human adventure. It involves managing multiple responsibilities and showing people the way in a short period of time. It's like being the head of a large company; you need to have managerial and technical skills. We are a team of six students, but I would say we are more like six brothers, because we have learned to know each other and work together in such a short time! Not to mention, of course, the collaboration of the 300 students on campus, without whom none of this would be possible."
