2019
Annual report
A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
Eric Labaye
President's message
Building on the strength of its historical model, École Polytechnique is
resolutely focused on its future within the Institut Polytechnique de
Paris
and on its ambition of ranking among the world-class higher education
and research institutions, in order to continue to serve the general interest,
contribute to scientific progress and promote sustainable development.
In 2019, the school celebrated its 225th anniversary and highlighted the
major role it has played in France’s defense, administration, political
life and its economic development. The school also remembered the many
contributions made through scientific advances, economic development and
in art, sports and social responsability. It reasserted its commitment to the
values of excellence, transdisciplinarity and serving the common good.
The “Réflexions” international conference dedicated to sustainable development was part of this celebration and gave the school an opportunity
to formalize its commitment in this area.
As you will discover in this Annual Report, the school has grown significantly in its core missions of training, research, and innovation thanks
to the success of its students, research professors and staff members. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication.
It also began a new chapter in its history with the creation and first
achievements of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, officially established
in May 2019, alongside four other renowned institutions: ENSTA Paris,
ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis.
In 2020, École Polytechnique will continue its leading role in the
growth of Institut Polytechnique de Paris by leveraging its success. It will continue to promote openness to the world, improve its resources
thanks to support from our patrons and donors to ensure it has the
necessary means for enhancing its courses, reinforce its research activities
and innovation, make the campus more welcoming and enhance diversity
in recruitment. It is my wish that these activities of learning, teaching,
researching, and working to develop and increase the sphere of influence of
Ecole Polytechnique will continue and become rewarding experiences for
all involved.
2019, THE SCHOOL CELEBRATES
2019 was marked by the celebration of the school’s 225th anniversary.
Our community of students, alumni, professors and researchers has made its mark
on history. As soldiers, scientists, engineers and senior State officials, they have
changed the world and pushed back the boundaries of science and technology.
A SCHOOL BORN OUT OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT
After the French Revolution in 1789, the royal engineering schools were closed. The
new “École Centrale des Travaux Publics” (Central School of Public Works) was
founded on March 11, 1794. A year later, it was renamed “École Polytechnique”. From
its very beginnings, the school has been committed to a tradition of excellence and
multidisciplinarity, inherited from the Enlightenment and bearing the values of the early
days of the French Republic.
SERVING THE GENERAL INTEREST AND THE NATION–OUR DNA
Its mission is to train scientists with teaching from the most eminent professors in order
to stay up to speed with the ever-expanding boundaries of science. From the moment the
school was founded, serving the general interest, the reason for which its students were
trained, became part of its DNA. In 1804, it obtained military status from Napoleon,
along with its flag and motto: “For the Homeland, Science and Glory”.
225 YEARS CONTRIBUTING TO RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
For over two centuries, concern for the general interest, integrity, research and innovation
as a driver for collective prosperity have been central to the school’s values. Today, with
its openness to the world and the business community, the school continues to lead
groundbreaking research in all the fast-growing fields that represent major challenges for
the next 225 years and is reasserting its ambition to understand and change the world.
THE INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE PARIS
In October 2018, École Polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris
and Télécom SudParis signed a new partnership agreement. Following this agreement,
the Institut Polytechnique de Paris was officially established in 2019.
INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE PARIS: A NAME AND BRAND FOR A NEW SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
On May 31, 2019, a year and a half after French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to create a center of
excellence around the schools in the École Polytechnique district, the Institut Polytechnique de Paris was established
by ministerial decree. In early February, Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly unveiled the branding and
name of the cluster of these five schools, reflecting the Institut Polytechnique de Paris commitment to excellence
and innovation.
CREATION OF HIGH-LEVEL MULTI-DISCIPLINARY COURSES
The Institut Polytechnique de Paris received accreditation to award Master’s and doctoral degrees and to supervise research. The Institut Polytechnique de Paris and its schools can therefore offer all degree levels in many
disciplines, including Bachelor’s degrees (from École Polytechnique), Master’s degrees (the schools’ engineering
programs, Master of Science and Technology, Specialized Master’s degrees®), doctoral degrees, and certification
and degree programs through Executive Education.
THE LAUNCH OF AN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH STRATEGY
The Institut Polytechnique de Paris has already raised funding for its research projects through participation in a
national call for projects. In August 2019, the Institut Polytechnique de Paris received funding through four winning
applications to the call for proposals for graduate schools of research (Écoles Universitaires de Recherche–EUR) in the
fields of biomedical engineering, energy, plasma and social sciences. The Institut Polytechnique de Paris also created
its first inter-disciplinary center, Energy for Climate (E4C), aimed at finding concrete solutions to energy and climate
change challenges. Finally, the Institut Polytechnique de Paris ended the year with the opening of its Doctoral School.
2019, X COMMITS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
École Polytechnique puts teaching,
research and innovation to work to obtain
knowledge about the environment
and climate change and find solutions
for the decades ahead.
TRAINING IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
In 2019, X committed to train 100% of Polytechnique students in climate change and environmental
issues through a mandatory first-year seminar. Beginning in 2020, a certificate program, open to all
and complementary to degree programs, will be introduced, as well as an offer adapted to Bachelor’s
programs and with Institut Polytechnique de Paris partners. This academic commitment to sustainability is present in all of X’s programs.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SERVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The year was marked by the creation of an inter-disciplinary research center for the Institut
Polytechnique de Paris, Energy4Climate (E4C), which brings together 25 partner laboratories,
start-ups and SMEs to work together on research addressing climate change challenges. X is also
leading numerous specific research programs and supporting many start-ups at its innovation center,
Drahi-X Novation Center, aimed at finding solutions to the challenges facing sustainable development.
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN THE TERRITORY
For the past ten years, the school has been taking the impact of its activities within its territory into
account by providing on-site housing for students to reduce travel and using biowaste from its catering
services for methanization. In June 2019, the school stepped up these efforts through its commitment
to achieve carbon neutrality, which it will accomplish by developing demonstrators, like the Bachelor
building, Drahi-X Novation Center and the new SIRTA site, renewing its mobility plan, and renovating
its infrastructure.
STUDENTS MOBILIZED FOR THE CLIMATE
On March 15, X students demonstrated their commitment to the environment
and solidarity with the youth climate movement by recalling the importance of
limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as recommended by the IPCC.
X AND PARIS UNITED IN FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE
Polytechnique and the City of Paris signed a collaborative agreement on April
17 to offer an economic assessment of policies and measures implemented to
reach the city’s Climate Plan goals.
X STANDS OUT FOR CSR
X is one of the nine French institutions listed on the Times High Education
ranking dedicated to the social and economic impacts of universities, including
the fight against climate change.
A CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
On June 7, the school held an international scientific conference in order
to share its reflections on sustainable development issues with researchers and
current and future leaders.
ERIC LABAYE’S CALL FOR TRAINING
ON CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES
Eric Labaye joined 80 other university leaders in calling for training on
ecological and climate change issues for students in an opinion piece published
on September 14 in Le Journal du Dimanche.
X UNVEILS THE RESULTS OF ITS CLIMATE MODELING
On September 17, researchers at the Climeri-France platform, including
X’s Dynamic Meteorology Laboratory, unveiled their latest results ahead of the
2021 IPCC report. They predict a worst-case scenario 7°C warming in 2100.
JOSEPH STIGLITZ AT X TO FOCUS ON FIGHTING
CLIMATE CHANGE
Joseph Stiglitz, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics, held a lecture
at X on October 15 to explain the role of tariff and non-tariff barriers
in the fight against climate change.
X SYNTHESIZES A GLYPHOSATE ALTERNATIVE
Researchers at the Laboratory of Organic Synthesis synthesized a natural
molecule, Radulanine A, with herbicide properties that could replace
controversial glyphosate.
Education, new developments
In the rapidly-changing world of higher education and research,
in order to face new challenges posed by climate change, digital
technology, health and societal issues, Ecole Polytechnique adapted
and expanded its range of courses, making use of its internationally
recognized assets: selective recruitment, high standards of training,
and the quality of its teaching staff and research.
THE ENGINEERING CYCLE CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY
The successful changes to the engineering course, in which French students
have military status, including greater internationalization and adaptation
to the expectations of the business world, were again recognized in national and international rankings and by the school’s position among the top
30 institutions for graduate employability.
CONFIRMED SUCCESS OF NEW TRAINING PROGRAMS
The new training courses Ecole Polytechnique launched in addition to its
engineering program, a Bachelor’s degree in 2017, Master of Science &
Technology (MSc&T) in 2016 and Executive Education in 2015, have proven successful. The Bachelor’s degree students spent their semesters abroad
at prestigious universities and the graduation of the first students in 2020 is
sure to boost the program’s reputation. The initial employment survey on
the first graduates from MSc&T programs has confirmed high employability with companies. During its fifth year, the Executive Education continuing education program again experienced growth.
A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
With the integration of the Doctoral School and Master’s programs, united
for the first year under the Institut Polytechnique de Paris banner, and the
signing of an agreement with HEC, the school is reaching the critical mass
needed to attract the best students and researchers both nationally and
internationally
A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
In mid-October, the school gave fresh momentum to its efforts to promote
equal opportunities by presenting its plan for social diversity aimed at doubling the number of students benefiting from scholarships in its enginnering program over the next five years. A set of ten measures focused on three
areas: entrance exams and admissions, mentoring for scholarship students,
assisting and guiding talented students towards scientific fields.
L'X Research always on the cutting edge
In 2019, the Ecole Polytechnique research center continued its work
and publications addressing the scientific, technological and societal
challenges of the future.
PRESTIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS
Numerous scientific articles were published on research conducted at the
school’s 23 laboratories. The scientific journal Nature highlighted a study
on actin networks, which included the participation of X’s Optics and Biosciences Laboratory. This research was conducted jointly by researchers from
the Solid Mechanics Laboratory (LMS - École Polytechnique/CNRS) on
earthquakes “in slow motion” in the northwest region of the United States,
and the detection of very high energy gamma rays involving researchers
from Leprince-Ringuet laboratory, and the better understanding of solar
winds thanks to the Solar Probe mission in which the Laboratory of Plasma
Physics (LPP) was involved. Four research projects conducted at the school
were also published in Nature Communications.
RESEARCHERS HONORED FOR THEIR WORK
Researchers from the Research Center were honored with numerous
awards in 2019. Marie-Claire Schanne Klein was awarded the CNRS
silver medal, Anna Simoni the bronze, and Ane Aanesland the medal for
innovation. Geneviève Robin and Caterina Vâlcu were among the winners
of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program, and Bernadette
Charron-Bost received the Huy Duong Bui Grand Prix from the French
Académie des Sciences. Finally, Société Française de Physique (SFP) and
the Swiss Physical Society (SPS) awarded the 2019 Charpak-Ritz Prize to
Benoit Deveaud, Deputy Director of Education and Research at X, and
two ERC grants were awarded to Razvan Gurau and Andrea Puhn, both
researchers at the Center for Theoretical Physics.
RELATIONS WITH COMPANIES STRENGTHENED
The school’s 23 laboratories boosted their corporate relations through
various Chairs, including with Ubisoft on science and the video games,
and through teaching and research sponsorship programs, including with
Nam-r on artificial intelligence for energy savings.
Innovation shines at X
In 2019, several start-ups from the Polytechnique community
got a chance to shine. The start-ups created by alumni, incubated
or accelerated at Drahi-X Novation Center, or created at our
laboratories, all offer innovative technology with high added value.
NEXT40: 9 START-UPS RANKED AMONG THE MOST
40 PROMISING IN FRANCE
Nine X start-ups ranked among the 40 most promising start-ups unveiled
by the President of the Republic at the launch of Next40: Payfit, Ynsect,
Bioserenity, JobTeaser, ReCommerce, Vestiaire Collective, Sendinblue,
iValua and ShiftTechnology. The index recognizes the X start-ups’ potential
to promote the economy, ecology and society.
INNOVATIONS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY
Five other start-ups earned recognition at the i-Lab competition held by the
Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation with Bpifrance:
Mindee, Redberry, Sentinair, Ophelia Sensors and Multiscreen. These
projects exemplify innovation at Ecole Polytechnique and the impacts of its
responses to major current challenges.
5,000 M² DEDICATED TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND INNOVATION
2019 was marked by the inauguration of the extension to La Fibre
Entrepreneur — Drahi-X Novation Center building in September by Eric
Labaye, President of École Polytechnique and Patrick Drahi, founding
president of Altice. The Innovation Center now covers 5,000 m² and is
home to the X-Up incubator which boosts more mature companies, a
prototyping area spanning 1,000 m², spaces for student associations that
are leaders in artificial intelligence or robotics issues, co-working spaces and
research centers for companies such as Cisco and Valeo.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
X WINS THE “BIENVENUE EN FRANCE” LABEL
École Polytechnique was awarded the “Bienvenue en France” label
with the maximum rating of three stars. The school was among the first
to earn this label awarded by Campus France for four years.
THE U7 ALLIANCE ADDRESSES CHALLENGES
OF THE FUTURE
In the context of the G7 summit, over 45 international universities,
including X, created the U7 Alliance to weigh in on the urgency of the major
issues forming the multilateral agenda. On July 9-10 they met
and announced 6 major commitments.
GRADUATION OF THE FIRST SPEIT CLASS
The first SPEIT class celebrated its graduation on March 30 at the Shanghai
Jiao Tong University (SJTU) campus. X created this six-year Franco-Chinese
program in partnership with two other Institut Polytechnique de Paris schools,
Télécom Paris and ENSTA Paris, along with Mines ParisTech and SJTU.
A MASTER’S PROGRAM ON RENEWABLE ENERGY
AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH CÔTE D’IVOIRE
X won the call for projects launched by the Franco-Ivorian Hub for Education
with the creation of a specialized Master’s degree in Renewable Energy,
Technology and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with Institut National
Polytechnique Felix Houphouët-Boigny.
FIRST SUMMER SCHOOL ON ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
In July, X held its first summer school in Russia with Peter the Great
St. Petersburg Polytechnic University on additive manufacturing
and assembly technology.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE STUDENTS EMBARK ON
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES
The first class of Bachelor’s degree students, currently in their third year,
spent a semester abroad from September to December with the program’s
international partner universities.
X WINS THE ERASMUS+ CALL FOR MOBILITY PROJECTS
École Polytechnique won the call for projects for student
and staff mobility with its partners in Russia and Israel in the context
of the Erasmus+ KA107 program.
A TRAINING AND RESEARCH AGREEMENT WITH CANADA
In February, X became the first French institution to sign an agreement
with Canada as part of the Mitacs program. The agreement aims to encourage
students to complete a research internship in Canada.
THE GASPARD MONGE PROGRAM SEMINAR
Researchers with X’s Computer Science Laboratory organized a
“PhD and Industry Day” workshop for the Gaspard Monge visiting professor
program on the energy transition and renewable energy.
CORPORATE CONECTIONS
EXPLORE YOUR FUTURE PROGRAM A SUCCESS
The second edition of the career guidance program, Explore your Future,
intended for students in the Master of Science and Technology program, took
place over several weeks through seminars, workshops, conferences and forums
to help develop their career plans.
MENTORING WITH ALUMNI
130 student-alumni pairs participated in the mentoring program organized for
the third consecutive year in partnership with the alumni association, AX.
AWARDED FOR THE QUALITY OF
CORPORATE RELATIONS
L'X confirmed its number 1 position in the French rankings of engineering
schools, thanks notably to the quality of its corporate relations.
X RECOGNIZED FOR GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY
X ranked 18th among the world’s best universities for graduate employability
according to a QS ranking.
SIX NEW CHAIRS AND TEACHING AND RESEARCH
SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMS
X signed 6 new partnerships contracts in the form of Chairs and teaching and
research partnership programs in 2019, including in the areas of video games
with Ubisoft, artificial intelligence in retail with Carrefour, blockchain with
Capgemini, oncology with Servier, and mobility with Uber.
150 COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN X-FORUM
The X-forum, designed for X companies, hosted over 150 exhibitors
and attracted nearly 2,000 visitors in October.
A STUDENT CHALLENGE ON SUSTAINABLE CITIES
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMPANIES
The Energy for Climate inter-disciplinary center launched a student challenge
on the theme “Imagine a city without carbon”. The challenge brought together
participating students, and academics and corporate executives as mentors
and members of the jury.
Ranking
