Meeting with Renault Foundation Representatives at SPbPU
A meeting with the executives of the Renault Foundation (France) - Deputy Director Sophie Chazelle and Project Manager Marie Pierre Prioleau took place in the Resource Center, SPbPU on November 27, 2015. The main purpose of the visit was to discuss the issues related to the joint educational programs which are to be implemented.
SPbSPU was represented at this meeting by the Head of the Department of International Academic Cooperation, Natalia Viktorovna Sokolova; Head of the Department of International Academic Mobility, Natalia Arkadevna Stolyarova; Head of the Department of International Scientific and External Economic Cooperation, Sergey Sergeevich Antonov; Deputy Director for Academic Work with Foreign Students of the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport, Anna Vladimirovna Mosalova; Deputy Director for International Relations of the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport, Mikhail Vladimirovich Brunman, and representatives of other institutions.
The Polytechnic University corroborates with many French universities. However, SPbPU is really interested in cooperation with the company "Renault", which implements different educational programs together with the leading universities of France since it allows forming a multi-functional approach to educational process and is a successful example of how a hundred years of practical experience combines with fundamental knowledge in car-making.
The Renault Foundation is eager to cooperate with Russian technical universities. It is an international educational and cultural space that has been set up to fulfill a global communication strategy, share experience, and ensure professional and friendly communications between students from different countries. The idea of solidarity and mutual understanding has always been supported here. The first students from Russia came to study in the programs of the Foundation in 2014. They were provided with the best conditions: accommodation in French families, guided tours, seminars and conferences.
"Students have fun while studying here. Each of them knows that the success of "Renault" is connected with the story of a man who dedicated his life to something he loved to do"- said Sophie Chazelle.
The Renault Foundation offers a variety of training areas: Master in Transport and Sustainble Development (TRADD); Master in Mobility and Electrical Vehicles (MVE) (in cooperation with universities ParisTech, Arts et Metiers Paris Tech, ENSTA ParisTech, Mines ParisTech and Ecole des Ponts Paris Tec); Electric Vehicle Management and Electro-Mobility Vocational Degree (GVE2) in collaboration with universities ParisTech - École polytechnique and MINES ParisTech, École des Ponts ParisTech; Road Safety Management Master (Manser).
All the programs are of national importance and are financed by the Foundation, which pays for accommodation, transport and training of the selected candidates (90 people per year). The scholarship is 1,050 euros per month. The duration of study is about 16 months.
The programs include language courses, training in the higher schools that are members of the Institut des sciences et technologies de Paris, internships at the enterprises of Renault Group, preparation of a qualification paper and its defense in front of the examination board.
The administration of the Renault Foundation is planning to develop partnership with the Polytechnic University in the near future.
"A large number of majors in SPbPU is connected with engineering. We are convinced that our students want to participate in the programs of the French Foundation. After all, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire international experience, familiarize with the company with individual value capital and unique corporate culture, "- said the Head of the Department of International Academic Cooperation, Natalia Viktorovna Sokolova.
The French delegation was also interested in achievements of the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport, SPbPU. All the participants confirmed the possibility of implementing joint projects and exchange of students. "Nowadays there are three majors for training students at the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport which can be interesting for our colleagues. These are "Motor Transport and Technology Systems", "Transport Process Technology " and "Design and Technological Support of Mechanical Production" (Car-Making Technology). We also develop new materials for lithium-ion batteries in the laboratory of "Functional Materials". Our Institute is ready to cooperate with the Renault Foundation in these areas, "- commented the Deputy Director for International Relations of the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport, A.V. Mosalova..
It should be noted that the students who were trained at the Department "Automatic machinery" in the major of "Industrial Design", have developed design projects of various vehicles. "This experience can be successfully used in alliance with the Renault Foundation in such areas as " Transport and Sustainable Development" and "Road Safety Management"," - said Deputy Director for International Relations of the Institute of Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering and Transport, M.V. Brunman.
During the meeting, participants were shown a film about the Renault Foundation. It once again proved that the programs offered are efficient. "You can become part of the international team of Renault too and make your own contribution to the development of the automotive industry", - said one of the film's heroines. Perhaps, the next story of success will be told by a student of the Polytechnic University. We are looking forward to it..
For reference purpose:
The Renault Foundation was created in 2001 and belongs to the French multinational automobile manufacturer "Renault", which produces a range of motors, trucks and race cars. Louis Renault, who assembled the first «Renault» car, founded the «Renault» corporation in 1898. Today "Renault" is a company with a worldwide reputation. It is an prestigious and important business, whose main capital is highly qualified human resources. The main objective of the management of "Renault" is staff development and attracting young and well-educated professionals. Therefore, the Renault Foundation was established in order to search for talents, increase their professional level and motivation. Special requirements are applied for the candidates: age limit (not older than 35 years), a higher education degree (Specialist degree or Master degree), fluency in French confirmed with a certificate. The selection process includes two stages: review of documents and interview. The Foundation has two types of partners: host academic partners that jointly develop the programs and train the students (ParisTech system universities and a number of major universities, such as Paris Dauphine University, Pantheon-Sorbonne University, etc.), and local academic partners who promote the programs and select candidates (leading universities of China, India, Algeria, Japan, Brazil). The Russian partners of the Foundation are Bauman Moscow State Technical University and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.
Department of International Cooperation