The press conference to discuss ESME's 120th anniversary was held at the Fleurus campus on September 30. Véronique Bonnet, ESME's Executive Director, surrounded by several members of the management team, presented the school's major ambitions and prospects.

A dozen media outlets specializing in education and science were attending, including L’Étudiant, Sciences et Avenir represented by Olivier Lascar (ESME class of 1998), and Studyrama.

Multiple paths to becoming an engineer at ESME

At the start of the 2025 academic year, ESME welcomed nearly 3,000 students across its four campuses. The school has just had its CTI accreditation renewed for five years. The bachelor's program offers five specializations, there are three MSc programs, and the engineering program now has 18 majors, some of which are work-study programs. Numerous double degrees are also available in the fourth and fifth years of the engineering program. They offer students a wide range of paths and opportunities!

ESME expands its presence outside Paris

When asked about the school's territorial development strategy, Véronique Bonnet specified that there are no plans to open a new campus. The management's ambition is for each campus to develop and welcome students throughout the entire engineering program, from the first to the fifth year. It is with this in mind that two new majors will be opened: Mechatronics in Lyon in 2025 and Energy in Bordeaux in 2026. The accreditation of the two bachelor's degrees in “Cybersecurity of Digital Systems” and “Energy Engineering for the Environment” has also been confirmed for five years.

In addition, the “Embedded Systems” major will now be called “Embedded Systems – Avionics & Defense,” reflecting the school's adaptation to the growing needs of the defense and aeronautics sector.

ESME setting its sights on the international stage

International outreach is also central to the project, with 101 partner universities around the world, including five new destinations this year: Argentina, Austria, Norway, the Philippines, and Uruguay. A new English-language MSc in Artificial Intelligence & Design for Engineering (AIDE) will also be launched in fall 2026. This MSc is designed to attract international students and respond to new challenges. In a socio-economic context where the United States and Canada are attracting fewer and fewer foreign students, Europe, and particularly France, are now emerging as attractive alternatives. ESME already has around 60 international students this semester and expects a significant increase in enrollment starting next semester. In the medium term, the stated goal is to reach a hundred international students across all campuses.

ESME supports working engineers

The school is not only thinking about the engineers of tomorrow, but also those of today: by early 2026, ESME plans to launch a continuing education program for engineers already working in the field, whether or not they are graduates of the school. The aim will be to help them develop their skills in emerging areas such as AI, sustainable energy, and cybersecurity.

A school close to businesses and local communities

The link with businesses is another strong pillar of the ESME model. As Damien Romanet explained, more than 450 partner companies collaborate with the school. This offers concrete immersion in strategic projects, thereby strengthening students' employability upon graduation. Major players include Safran, Thales, Vinci Énergies, Eiffage, HE Healthcare, Sopra Steria, and Dassault Systèmes.

An anniversary year full of events

The school's 120th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year with a series of notable events:

• A grand anniversary celebration on November 24, 2025, at the Musée des Arts et Métiers, preceded by an inaugural conference on the theme “AI: between myth and reality, reconciling ethics and innovation.”

• A series of regional conferences bringing together start-ups, representatives of French Tech, and industry players.

• Hackathons, Master Projects, intergenerational meetings between alumni and students on the question “How do you imagine the future?”

• As well as exhibitions, challenges, and a collective time capsule to be passed on to future generations.

AIESME, a committed network

Véronique Bonnet also pointed out that AIESME plays an essential role in the life of the school. Present at the press conference, the association was represented by myself, Théodore Boyer, administrator. AIESME promotes exchanges within the ESME community and actively contributes to the influence of the network of 18,000 graduates trained by ESME.

Following the press conference, Véronique Bonnet, Director General of ESME, spoke to Studyrama about ESME's commitments and ambitions.

Watch the interview (in French)

To sum up this press conference, we can say that, as it celebrates its 120th anniversary, ESME doesn't simply look back on its past. It is affirming its desire to shape the next decades of engineering!