The CoESIUM workshop brought together researchers and industrialists in Paris to define the priorities of the Franco-Malaysian partnership and lay the foundations for a joint international laboratory.
On October 14, Arts et Métiers a delegation from PETRONAS University of Technology (UTP), led by its new president, to its Paris campus. This event follows on from the Malaysian Prime Minister's official visit to France, which marked an important step in strengthening the strategic partnership between Malaysia and France, particularly in the areas of higher education, innovation, and sustainable industry.
Created in 2022 by Arts et Métiers PETRONAS University of Technology (UTP), the CoESIUM (Center of Excellence for a Sustainable Industry) partnership aims to develop research, training, and sustainable innovation between France, Malaysia, and more broadly, ASEAN.
The partnership is based on three pillars:
- Research: collaborative projects in the fields of materials, energy, digital technologies, and sustainable engineering
- Training: student mobility, joint supervision of theses, joint initial and continuing education programs
- Relations with industry: direct involvement of industrial players
A seminar focusing on academic and industrial issues
For a week, nearly thirty Malaysian colleagues from UTP visited several Arts et Métiers sites: Metz, Lille, Angers, Chalon-sur-Saône, and Paris, before participating in two days of strategic meetings in the capital. " We wanted this seminar to be in line with the political and economic commitments recently made between France and Malaysia, fully integrating higher education and research , " emphasizes Audrey Stewart, Director of Strategy and International and European Development.
The workshop on October 14 brought together researchers, industrialists, and institutional representatives to discuss three main topics: mechanics and materials, digital technologies, and energy and the environment.
Towards a joint international laboratory
The discussions also led to the creation of a joint international laboratory. " We proposed a Franco-Malaysian laboratory project within the framework of CoESIUM, designed to address a variety of industrial issues by drawing on our expertise in materials and process studies and modeling, artificial intelligence, and human-machine interaction, " explains Frédéric Mérienne, co-director of the partnership for Arts et Métiers.
The discussions were based on concrete examples, particularly those relating to industrial chairs and existing partnerships between laboratories and companies.
A partnership that appeals to manufacturers
The seminar also paved the way for new industrial support. The Malaysian ambassador to France was in attendance. In addition, Naval Group, KNDS, and Total Energies participated, with prospects for joint projects in the coming years. " The idea is to bring in more French and Malaysian industrial players to build a truly sustainable and innovative ecosystem," explains Audrey Stewart.
In addition to existing partnerships, new contacts were made during the workshop, demonstrating the growing interest among industry in cooperation between the two countries. The gradual integration of French companies based in Malaysia is paving the way for broader collaboration, whether in supporting applied research projects or welcoming students in specialized training programs.
