In these unprecedented times, the Grandes UAI, which were due to take place in Angers from May 21 to 24, have been canceled. However, their organization mobilized 15 students from the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers . Behind this event lies meticulous organization and a significant amount of teamwork and project management.
The Grandes UAI: a unique tournament
The Grandes UAI is an inter-campus and inter-promotional sports tournament that brings together nearly 1,000 students from all Arts et Métiers campuses Arts et Métiers Ascension weekend. Created in 1946, this sports tournament is organized each year by a different campus among the eight Arts et Métiers campuses. For the 46th edition, Angers was set to host the event.
The Grandes UAI is first and foremost a fierce competition involving around fifteen sports (both individual and team sports) to determine the winning campus of the tournament. In addition to traditional sports such as soccer, basketball, and racket sports, the Grandes UAI also offers new sports: a skiing competition organized in January in partnership with SKZ and e-sports (online video games). But it is also a friendly event that promotes sharing.
Logistics and coordination
Fifteen students from Angers organized the Grandes UAI, an event that requires logistics and coordination. From accommodation and catering to transportation and entertainment for nearly 1,000 students, in addition to setting up a sports tournament featuring around fifteen sports, the key to the success of this project lies in teamwork.
This requires a lot of organization, as the Grandes UAI is being set up alongside our classes, and we didn't want this project to interfere with our schoolwork. It's an extremely rewarding experience in terms of project management and teamwork. It allows us all to develop skills that will certainly be useful in our future professional lives. Even though this event has been canceled, and we are obviously extremely disappointed, we will nevertheless have been able to work on a large-scale project, Nolwen Stéphan, president of the Grandes UAI.
Reservations to cancel
With a budget of €150,000, including €50,000 thanks to support from SOCE and sponsors, and the rest from ticket sales, this event required the reservation of a number of facilities in the cities of Angers and Trélazé to accommodate the 1,000 students who were expected to come from all over France: the Bertin Gymnasium, the Baumette Stadium, the Montplaisir Swimming Pool, and the Lac Maine Stadium for the athletics competition. For accommodation, catering, and evening festivities, the Grandes UAI 2020 had to offer a unique venue: the Loire Trélazé Arena, known for having hosted the Nuit de la Sainte Cécile several times.
The cancellation of this event has resulted in a lot of work to be done. Between cancellations, refunds, etc., the whole team is on deck and continues to work (or rather, telework), concludes Charlotte Joseph, communications manager for the Grandes UAI.
Please note that the next Grandes UAI will take place in Angers in 2022!
