Excellence with passion
The cornerstone of the Learning Center was laid during a visit by the Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces
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Work on the Learning Center, a collaborative digital library, was officially launched on October 15th by Mrs. Geneviève Darrieussecq, Deputy Minister, Engineer-General Pierre-Yves Guichard, Director of ESID Bordeaux (Establishment of the Defense Infrastructure Service) and Olivier Lesbre, President of the Institute. This was an opportunity to welcome the Minister for a guided tour of the School and to give her a presentation of its actions in the areas of innovation, research and social commitment.
Geneviève Darrieussecq, Deputy Minister of the Armed Forces, attended the presentation given by Olivier Lesbre, who pointed out that with 1,700 students, more than 30 training programs for Engineering, Master, Advanced Master and Doctoral students and nearly 700 diplomas issued, 40% of them internationally, the Institute is a major player in the Toulouse ecosystem and a leader in higher education for aerospace engineering. A diversity program also goes hand-in-hand with the Institute’s three pillars: education, research and innovation. Cécile Latournerie gave an exposé of OSE l’ISAE-SUPAERO’s commitment to the “Cordées de la Réussite” ("Roped together for Success") program, as well as support and academic tutoring for middle school and high school students from priority neighborhoods and isolated rural areas, and promoting scientific careers among girls.
In conclusion, Frédéric Dehays presented work by the Laboratory of Neuroergonomics and Human Factors for Aviation Safety, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence into aircraft and ISAE-SUPAERO’s involvement in ANITI (Artificial and Natural Intelligence Toulouse Institute). A scientific focus highlighting the involvement of companies in the research carried out at the Institute, in this case with AXA and the creation of a 10-year Chair to improve flight safety.
High-level engineering programs to meet the needs of industry
The Minister was then given a tour of the recently inaugurated InnovSpace, which diffuses innovation throughout the Institute and seeks to become a complete training, incentive and facilitation facility. A presentation of these collaborative facilities and the support system for students and future start-ups was given by Dan Nguyen, Operations Manager for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ISAE-SUPAERO. Mrs. Darrieussecq was able to talk with students and young alumni at the head of their own start-ups. Florian Rosselli showed her the achievements of I-CARE, a student experiment supported by ISAE-SUPAERO and its Foundation, whose goal is to study the feasibility of capturing space objects with a robotic arm. Thomas Bessiere, co-founder of the start-up Hinfact explained the beginnings of his entrepreneurial adventure, from the spin-off from ISAE-SUPAERO through a partnership with the Laboratory of Neuroergonomics and Human Factors to the company that develops software to objectify training sessions and improve performances for pilots and instructors in air transport.
The entire delegation, made up of Mrs. Lenglet, the Sub-prefect, Mrs. Mörch, Member of Parliament representing the Haute-Garonne department, Mr. Llorca, Member of the Departmental Council, Mrs. Nison, Member of the Municipal Council, Mr. Fourar, Rector of the Academy, Mrs. Plessix from the French Directorate General for Armaments, and Mr. Ratynski, Architect, went to the site of the ceremony for laying the cornerstone. During her speech, the Deputy Minister reasserted the Ministry of the Armed Forces’ support for the Institute.
“Supporting ISAE-SUPAERO means supporting our industrial base and fostering our operational and technological superiority – it is by training high-level engineers who also meet the needs of our defense industry in space and innovation that you help build France’s sovereignty and future.”
The LEARNING CENTER, the ultimate tool in project-based learning
After the speeches and the thank-yous, the three authorities signed the parchment sealing the cornerstone of the Learning Center, whose opening is scheduled for the end of 2021. In the heart of the campus, the future Learning Center brings together a library and collaborative work areas, a showroom and a space for hosting events. Its services will provide support for developing ISAE-SUPAERO training programs and evolutions in their teaching methods, increasingly project-based, and strong growth in research and innovation activities.
“The new training programs and the new teaching practices that we offer our students require suitable spaces and equipment to encourage access to knowledge, innovation and collaboration on projects using the latest technological resources. The Learning Center, like the recently inaugurated InnovSpace, both materialize these changes at the heart of our campus,” Olivier Lesbre explained.
“At the crossroads between the class buildings and the student living area, the Learning Center comprises an umbilical cord, a cord of knowledge and interactivity keeping the human aspect in mind, a place for information and growth,” concluded the Minister, congratulating all the stakeholders for their management of this project that was kept on-budget and within deadlines.
Come back in a little more than a year for the commissioning of this 2,500-m² project supported for 8 million euros by the Ministry of the Armed Forces and ISAE-SUPAERO. A building and a site dedicated to knowledge, work and the mind, designed by the LCR architecture firm whose architect, Xavier Ratynski, recently received an Award from the profession for producing the ISAE-SUPAERO Reception Building. A good sign for the integration and functionality of this new inspiring, innovative space.
