A large network of partner universities across all continents

Wolfgang Seemann, Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, co-head of the cooperation program with Arts et Métiers

Why didArts et Métiers the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology form a partnership more than 20 years ago?

The initiative came from the alumni association, which had certainly noticed that French and German engineers both enjoyed an excellent reputation worldwide, despite their different training backgrounds. It took shape in the form of a program aimed at training Franco-German engineers capable of working together on cross-border projects, such as Airbus or the cooperation between SNCF and Deutsche Bahn.

The Franco-German dual degree program is at the heart of the partnership. What are the main advantages of this program?

Engineering programs are very different in the two countries: at a technical university in Germany, at a grande école in France. It always takes time to adapt to new ways of working and to appreciate them. Immersing oneself in the partner's education system for several years is a decisive factor in the training of Franco-German engineers. Students pursuing dual degrees are not only mobile because they move between France and Germany: they also act with greater flexibility of mind. This experience allows them to adapt more easily to different environments and ways of working. Added to this, of course, is mastery of the partner country's language, whether it be everyday language or technical language related to engineering. These are all advantages that are considerable in Europe and can be transferred to the globalized job market.

The partnership also involves research activities: what have been the main activities carried out to date?

In order to bridge the gap between education and Franco-German research, several summer schools have been held on the topics of materials (2007, 2009) and robotics (2011). In addition, the dual degree also leads to jointly supervised theses between the KIT Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Arts et Métiers. Doctoral students spend several months in the partner country and defend their thesis before a Franco-German jury.

The two institutions are currently working on setting up a Franco-German institute for the industry of the future. What does this project involve? What challenges is it seeking to address?

The main objective of this project is to establish a Franco-German technology platform for research and industrial relations for the industry of the future—or Industry 4.0. This institute focuses on education, research, and innovation. Our common challenge is to work together to train the engineers who will shape the industry of tomorrow, to cooperate on research projects while integrating binational industries to better respond to technological challenges. During the two previous workshops, the various areas of joint research were defined: robotics, production systems, virtual and augmented reality, and advanced manufacturing processes.