On March 2, 2026, the Bordeaux-Talence campus of the Arts et Métiers hosted a “Scientific Lunch” dedicated to a timely and strategic topic: drones in military service. Held during the lunch break, the event brought together nearly 100 students with leading experts in a casual setting that encouraged direct discussion.
An expertise program at the heart of strategic issues
The introduction was given by General Groen, former head of airspace management for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a strategic mission conducted in direct collaboration with the President of the Republic and the Minister of Sports at the time. His presentation placed the issue of drones in a real operational context, illustrating the challenges of sovereignty, security, and coordination of air assets.
The French manufacturer AZUR DRONE then presented its technologies and innovation prospects, highlighting the industrial and military applications of its solutions. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) , represented by military personnel, complemented these presentations by outlining capability requirements, technological challenges, and the hurdles associated with integrating drones into defence systems.
The conference concluded with a dynamic roundtable discussion featuring five students from the campus, representing different academic backgrounds. Following prior collaborative preparation, they led the discussions by posing technical, ethical, and strategic questions, fostering a rich dialogue with the speakers.
“ Participating in the roundtable was an enriching experience. We were able to prepare our questions and engage directly with stakeholders who make concrete decisions on the ground. This gives meaning to our learning and opens up very real career prospects, ” says Camille, a student who participated in the roundtable.
A winning format for students and stakeholders
Beyond its scientific and strategic content, this Scientific Dinner demonstrated the value of a format combining high-level expertise and a convivial atmosphere. The complimentary meal fostered an environment conducive to informal discussions.
For students, the event represents an opportunity to access operational feedback, to better understand the interactions between industry, the military and public institutions, and to develop their ability to question complex issues.
For the speakers, the presence of an engaged and curious audience is a valuable lever for transmitting knowledge, inspiring vocations and identifying future talents.
"The questions asked by the students were relevant and demanding. This type of meeting is essential: it brings the academic world closer to industrial and operational realities, and prepares the next generation of engineers for the challenges of defense and innovation," emphasized one of the military speakers.
With nearly one hundred participants, this edition confirms students' interest in major contemporary technological issues and fully illustrates the mission of Arts et Métiers : to train engineers capable of understanding, designing and acting at the heart of industrial and strategic transformations.
