The twin objective of this new collaboration between the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and CentraleSupélec is to train engineers that are better integrated into research laboratories, and biologists that are more involved in technological innovation. The two establishments hope to enhance their communal actions through innovation and entrepreneurial spirit; the creation of new businesses will be another aspect of the programme being established.
From 2015, scientific collaborations will be established between Inserm and CentraleSupélec, based on scientific priorities identified jointly by the two establishments. To initiate this partnership, Inserm and CentraleSupélec hope to become involved in the following themes:
– modelling, mathematics, databases and imaging
– microscopy and nanotechnology for biology
Signature of the framework agreement between Professor Yves Lévy, Chairman and CEO of Inserm, and Hervé Biausser, Director of École CentraleSupélec, at Inserm headquarters in Paris on 21 September 2015. ©Inserm/Heidinger, Jean-Marie
Projects based on these priority themes will be identified by the researchers in both establishments, in order to deploy their complementary assets and advance knowledge in areas of major challenge such as cancer or neuroscience. These projects will give rise to exploratory subjects offered to students during the course of their studies. Thus engineering students will be closer to innovation in a core area of human progress, alongside researchers internationally recognised for their expertise in health-related technologies. The educational component will be complemented by a dual programme in which student trainees will be hosted in Inserm laboratories, and Inserm staff will be offered training modules by CentraleSupélec, particularly in the area of entrepreneurship and business creation via the Centrale Entrepreneur stream.
For Yves Lévy, Chairman and CEO of Inserm, this signing is a reflection of a dynamic and multidisciplinary research landscape in France.