Challenges, hackathons, and other initiatives: PEIT representatives on campuses are mobilizing to organize events designed to raise student awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation.
In Lille, students were invited on March 22, 23, and 24 to participate in the fourth edition of Startonic Weekend, organized by Arts et Métiers, Centrale Lille, and SKEMA Business School.
On May 30, first-year students will be offered a morning dedicated to innovation, with presentations by Dominique Le Corre (Head of Crash Center of Competence & Innovation Manager, ALSTOM) on intrapreneurship and industry expectations of young engineers, and Denis Boubal (partner at Cabinet Plasseraud) on the challenges of intellectual property for innovation.
Finally, first- and second-year students in the Grande École Program will take part in a three-day Hackathon on June 10, 11, and 12. "This challenge will immerse them in an experience of collective intelligence," explains Sylvain Bigot, mechanical design teacher and PEIT representative on campus. Students will reflect on seven concrete topics from the economic sphere. It will be an opportunity to rethink the uses of certain products with an environmental dimension and propose innovative ideas."
Initiatives across campuses and institutes
Initiatives like these, aimed at raising student awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation, are taking place across Arts et Métiers campuses and institutes.
In Chalon-sur-Saône, students in the Master of Science participated in the Chal’enge challenge in January, which aims to promote the use of immersive technologies within the socio-economic fabric of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Once again this year, first-year students in Cluny excelled at the Entrep’ Bourgogne competition, with three winning projects, one of which was also nominated for the Entrep’ Bourgogne Grand Prize.
Meanwhile, the Chambéry institute has partnered with French Tech Alpes to launch a competition for project leaders and startups in the energy and water sectors.
The Aix-en-Provence campus, meanwhile, organized the “Greentech Week by Arts et Métiers from April 16 to 18, featuring two highlights: the final of the Invent For The Planet hackathon, organized in partnership with Texas A&M University (TAMU), and Sprint for Impact, during which some twenty students worked in teams with 10 impact-driven startups from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region to develop solutions to their challenges.
Skills that everyone must acquire
These events introduce students to entrepreneurship and innovation.
"The time has come for innovation and responsible entrepreneurship," explains Sandra Cologne, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Arts et Métiers. Entrepreneurship is changing and shifting its focus from finance and maximum profitability to the circular and solidarity economy. Students need to understand the mechanics of value creation and review indicators and financing methods in order to develop new business models. Participating in these challenges and hackathons gives them the mindset they need to tackle this societal issue. Students interested in these issues can opt for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation track in their second year."
