This year, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany and École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers in France, two leading institutions in engineering research, education, and innovation, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their German-French double-degree program in mechanical engineering and engineering sciences. For five years now, synergetic collaboration of both institutions has been strengthened by the French-German Institute for Industry of the Future. On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, an anniversary conference will take place in Metz.
In 1997, the then University of Karlsruhe, today’s KIT, and Arts et Métiers decided to offer a German-French double diploma program in mechanical engineering and engineering sciences. Since then, more than 850 mechanical and business engineers have graduated and profited from the experience and networking activities of this long binational collaboration.
“The collaboration between Art et Métiers on the Metz campus and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) that has been successful for 25 years now is of high importance to French-German relations and a united Europe. Cross-border collaboration and joint research activities create trust, knowledge, confidence, and courage. They also are a strong basis for the future and for enabling coming generations to master the big challenges of our times, also and especially across country borders,” says Dr. Hans Reiter, Department Head at the State Science Ministry.
“Excellent science is not conceivable without cross-border collaboration. The graduates of this double-degree program profit from the long years of successful binational collaboration that was even further strengthened by the establishment of the French-German Institute for Industry of the Future five years ago,” says Professor Thomas Hirth, KIT Vice-President for Transfer and International Affairs. Close relations of both institutions give rise to pioneering research that also is of benefit to Europe, Hirth points out.
Degrees Are Recognized on Both Labor Markets
The program is about both scientific and cultural exchange. The advantages of the double degree: Studies take place in two different education systems, with students spending half of the time in France and half of the time in Germany. In this way, they can improve their language skills, in particular their knowledge of scientific and technical terms in the other language. Moreover, they come to know the culture and the way of living and working in the neighboring country. Together with their fellow students, they can establish a cross-border network based on several years of joint studies. Not least, the students are conferred degrees recognized on both labor markets.
French-German Institute for Industry of the Future
2022 also marks the 5th anniversary of the French-German Institute for Industry of the Future. It provides a collaborative French-German platform on which scholars, researchers, industry representatives, startups, and students can meet. In addition, the Institute is supposed to strengthen research, innovation, and academic education for the industry of the future.
Anniversary Conference at Metz
On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, the anniversary conference organized under the French EU Council presidency will take place in Metz. It will highlight the advantages of intercultural and cross-border engineering education and present measures developed by internationally mobile doctoral researchers as well as results of joint research projects for the industry of the future. Moreover, potential development strategies of education, research, and innovation measures in the German-French and European contexts will be dealt with.
More information: https://www.institute-industry-of-the-future.eu
In close partnership with society, KIT develops solutions for urgent challenges – from climate change, energy transition and sustainable use of natural resources to artificial intelligence, sovereignty and an aging population. As The University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT unites scientific excellence from insight to application-driven research under one roof – and is thus in a unique position to drive this transformation. As a University of Excellence, KIT offers its more than 10,000 employees and 22,800 students outstanding opportunities to shape a sustainable and resilient future. KIT – Science for Impact.