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In response to sovereignty challenges, CESI École d’Ingénieurs strenghtens its unique industry-driven model

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CESI CONNECT 2030 : a new strategic plan to meet the scientific and technical needs of France and Europe

May 21, 2026 – CESI, France’s largest engineering school by number of graduates across 26 campuses, is launching a 2026-2030 strategic plan, CESI CONNECT 2030, setting out an in-depth transformation of its academic model. Developed under the leadership of its new director, Jean-Marc Ogier, this strategic plan is the result of a year of reflection and analysis conducted with the institution’s stakeholders and governing bodies. Building on the distinctive features that define CESI’s identity, CESI CONNECT 2030 opens a new phase of development and launches an ambitious transformation of the institution around several key priorities: expanding academic programs, strengthening international reach, accelerating research and innovation, and deepening the regional ties campuses have with industry. Launched against a backdrop of major pressures in higher education as well as in scientific and technical sectors, and geopolitical tensions, this initiative aims to adapt the establishment’s design to the changing needs of French companies and regions, while strengthening its ability to train the talent of tomorrow.

CESI possesses unique strengths within the French higher education system: strong local roots, governance supported by professional federations and companies, the ability to train students from techniciansto engineers, a culture of work-study and active learning methods, and applied research connected to economic needs. With CESI CONNECT 2030, we are undertaking a structural transformation to strengthen this model and adapt it to the challenges of the coming years.

announced Jean-Marc Ogier, CEO of CESI.

A unique training model directly linked to the needs of companies

For nearly 7 decades, the engineering school CESI has trained 18 000 students each year, from advanced technicians to engineers and specialized experts, across 26 campuses in France. As France’s largest engineering school by enrollment, it covers five major strategic fields: industry & innovation, IT & digital technology, construction & civil engineering, QSE and sustainable development, management, and human resources.

Founded by companies to meet their needs of high-quality employees in technical and scientific fields, the institution continues to be governed by 6 French professional federations: UIMM, FFB, FNTP, FFIE, Numeum, and UTPF. This unique structure enables CESI to design its programs to meet the needs of the main industrial sectors and regions in France. It is also based on a strong connection between fulltime education, apprenticeships, continuing education, applied research, and innovation. CESI draws on CESI LINEACT, its integrated research unit, which helps anticipate technological developments, inform educational programs, and develop research and innovation projects alongside key business actors in France and internationally.

An economic momentum that extends beyond its academic mission
The school’s regional impact is also significant. An unprecedented study released in March 2026 conducted by UTOPIES using the local Footprint® tool reveals the scale of this impact at both national and local levels: thanks to CESI, €927 million in GDP has been generated and more than 36 000 jobs created in France. In concrete terms, each job at CESI catalyses the creation of three jobs nationwide. The institution acts as a value-adding educational ecosystem, creating jobs and increasing the attractiveness of the cities where it is located.


This analysis shows that investment in higher education is a powerful accelerator of economic growth. On average, 63% of the wealth generated by a CESI campus directly benefits its region, confirming the essential role campuses play in local development. The example of the Rouen campus illustrates this contribution: over 5 years, a regional investment of €8 million generated economic wealth almost 30 times greater than the initial investment.

A strained market that requires training more people better and differently

The need for scientific and technical skills is accelerating. For example, the nuclear and hydrogen sectors expect to hire approximately 100 000 people respectively by 2030. Demand is also massive in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, industry, smart maintenance, embedded systems, energy transition, and secure digital technology industries, all strategic sectors for French industrial sovereignty. At the same time, the pool of prospective students is shrinking, science programs are struggling to attract applicants, and women remain underrepresented in post-secondary STEM programs. This imbalance directly affects companies’ ability to recruit qualified employees in the fields needed.

For CESI, the challenge is twofold: to meet companies’ massive needs while raising academic standards and improving the quality of learning. Today, the model must reconcile several requirements: academic excellence and social accessibility, local ties and a consistent student experience, distinctive teaching methods and academic recognition, work-study programs and economic sustainability, a solid national presence and international ambition.

Explains Jean-Marc Ogier

Training talent to meet france’s needs: specialized campuses closely connected to regions

The CESI CONNECT 2030 strategic plan is based on a clear ambition: to respond to changes in skills, technologies, and the expectations of companies and local economic ecosystems.


By 2030, CESI is undertaking the task of clarifying the identity and purpose of its 26 campuses by adapting the organization of its network. The goal is to strengthen the consistency of the model, the quality of the student experience, and alignment with local economic needs. This involves adapting the campuses’ educational programs and technological platforms to the specific needs of each region, with certain fields particularly represented depending on the location: nuclear energy in Rouen, shipyards in Saint-Nazaire, healthcare in Dijon, and batteries in Grenoble.

A new european and international ambition

Local roots and international openness are notopposing forces.Instead, they reinforce one another. CESI CONNECT 2030 therefore embodies a more clearly asserted European and international ambition. The school aims to further embed its programs, research, and campuses in international academic networks in order to train students to thrive as successful professionals within multicultural and globalized environments.


CESI has already undertaken several structural initiatives: joining EURASHE (European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education), joining the Mediterranean Network of Engineering and Management Schools, and joining the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie in Brussels to strengthen its presence among European institutions. The institution has also just signed an enhanced partnership with the Fulbright Program around future accreditations with the United States. The ambition is to strengthen its international presence in research, innovation, and higher education policy.


CESI has clear international ambitions for 2030: growing the number of programs taught in English, developing international dual degrees, and creating more COIL programs, a virtual exchange framework that connects students and faculty with partner institutions around the world.


As part of its European and international momentum, CESI is one of only two French institutions selected for the “Choose Europe for Science” program. This strategic initiative aims to attract researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs from around the world by encouraging them to choose Europe, and more specifically France, as a place for innovation, research, and development. This recognition reinforces the school’s international ambition and enhances its visibility within major European academic and scientific networks.

High-quality education accessible to all: a major social and economic challenge

The strategic plan includes strengthening academic quality and consistency across all campuses. CESI aims to ensure that every student, regardless of campus, benefits from a common set of standards, a consistent academic experience, and access to the school’s technological and educational resources.

Beginning in 2026, CESI will raise its academic standards through:

  • Standardized curricula across all 26 campuses,
  • Stronger foundations in the sciences and expanded coursework in social sciences, economics, finance, and business management,
  • Systematic and enhanced integration of technology platforms across programs,
  • Development of active learning methods and real-world simulation,
  • Widespread implementation of cross-disciplinary collaborative projects involving technicians, engineers, and experts.


At the same time, CESI is initiating a transformation of its admissions model, with the goal of establishing a system that is both more selective and more equitable. The institution is therefore preparing a new program structure designed to be clearer and more agile. The goal is to make curricula easier to understand, strengthen pathways between different programs. This reorganization is intended to make it easier for students from technical backgrounds to enter the engineering program, while also offering greater flexibility for students who wish to change programs without having to start from scratch.


Beyond full-time education, CESI intends to further develop its executive education programs in support of corporate transformation and skills development.


Finally, the institution aims to reposition its human resources programs to correspond more closely to the major challenges currently reshaping the world of work: technological, industrial, environmental, and managerial . In line with its commitment to social mobility, CESI intends to establish a sponsorship mechanism serving students and the broader community of stakeholders.

We want to offer a program portfolio that is clearer, more adaptable, and more closely connected to the needs of companies and regions. The goal is to enable students to build their own academic journey, progress, change direction, and specialize. We commit to maintaining excellent academic standards while meeting the expectations and values of our students.

Emphasizes Jean-Marc Ogier

Using ai as a driver of social mobility and academic excellence

CESI CONNECT 2030 provides for the deployment of an artificial intelligence strategy across its programs. The goal is not to standardize learning, but to use AI as a lever for academic standards, personalized pathways, dropout prevention, and social mobility. A first phase is already underway with the deployment of platforms incorporating artificial intelligence and adaptive learning features. Some systems are already operational, particularly in mathematics and English, while others are being deployed to offer more personalized remedial coursework. From the admissions stage onward, AI will help identify candidates’ specific needs and direct them toward tailored preparatory pathways before they begin their studies.


CESI plans to gradually strengthen these systems by developing:

  • Personalized pathways,
  • Intelligent academic tutoring,
  • Tools for tracking academic progress,
  • Systems for early detection of dropout risk,
  • Augmented learning environments,
  • A personal organization assistant to help students structure their timeand balance their workload.


Another key challenge in the coming years will be to consolidate data from these various learning environments in order to build management tools designed for teaching faculty. Ultimately, CESI aims to develop dashboards that enable instructors to consolidate and use learning analytics in order to better support students and strengthen dropout prevention.
For career guidance and professional integration, CESI also plans to implement a vectorized skills portfolio that combines academic results, faculty feedback, extracurricular experiences, and acquired skills. This tool is designed to help students better identify careers, internships, and opportunities that match their skillset and interests.


AI will also be used to support students in preparing for interviews, showcasing their skills, and accessing high-level opportunities, particularly by helping them overcome self-limiting beliefs linked to social background.

Artificial intelligence should allow us to be more demanding and equitable. It should help every student progress, securing their learning, preventing breaks in academic journey, and revealing their potential.

Says Jean-Marc Ogier

Training multidisciplinary teams capable of working together

The CESI CONNECT 2030 strategic plan reflects a strong educational conviction: today’s challenges will not be solved by individuals working in isolation, but by teams capable of combining their skills. One of the plan’s ambitions is to further develop interpersonal skills by training multidisciplinary teams capable of working together on complex industrial, digital, environmental, and social issues.

The school therefore plans to further develop dual-degree programs with several business schools, starting with KEDGE Business School and EM Normandie, while new partnerships are currently being negotiated with other institutions. This momentum is also accompanied by the creation of a department dedicated to applied humanities and social sciences, enabling engineers, technicians, experts, and managers to understand the complexity of the world and develop the soft skills needed to meet company expectations. This new department underscores the constant and essential links between education and research.

Our ambition is simple: to train scientific and technical talent capable of collaborating together. We must train multidisciplinary teams, from technicians to engineers, capable of acting throughout the country and beyond borders.

Says Jean-Marc Ogier

A new phase for research development built around CESI LINEACT

CESI CONNECT 2030 marks a new phase in the development of its research activities. CESI aims to strengthen the role of its research unit, CESI LINEACT, as the driving force behind its scientific strategy and as a central pillar of its educational programs. The objective is to make applied research a direct driver of the major industrial, digital, environmental, and organizational shifts that are reshaping the world of work.


Over the 2026-2030 period, the institution plans to reorganize its research teams and clarify its priority scientific areas. The goal is to further align its strategy with major European and national priorities in order to strengthen its position in major research funding calls (Horizon Europe, ANR, etc.). This expansion will enable CESI to increase its scientific visibility and influence within major research and innovation programs.


In particular, the school is focusing on expanding collaborations with companies to accelerate knowledge transfer and the emergence of concrete solutions supporting economic and industrial transformation. This strategy will involve the development of industry-linked doctoral theses, the creation of new ANR-supported LabComs, and the deployment of industry chairs bringing together researchers, students, and industry partners around high-value-added projects. CESI aims to intensify collaborative projects with companies, with a focus on applied innovation and direct responses to real-world needs.

This strategy aims to make research more visible, more accessible, and more directly connected to the needs of companies and regional economic networks.

The goal is to make research a direct driver for innovation and transformation. Research should not exist in isolation. It must inform educational programs, fuel student projects, and help solve concrete problems for companies and regions.

States Jean-Marc Ogier