École Polytechnique to Increase Number of Incoming Indian Students in the Next 5 Years

In 2019, India’s Draft National Education Policy included strengthening the
country’s research capacities and international collaborations. This is opening
major opportunities for leading institutions around the world such as École
Polytechnique, also known as l’X. For over 15 years, the top French science and
technology institution has built strong relationships with prominent Indian
higher education and research entities such as the Indian Institute of Science in
Bangalore and the Indian Institutes of Technology. In 2020, l’X plans on
reinforcing ties with India and attracting more Indian students and researchers
on campus.
Located just south of Paris, France, l’X is the leading French institution combining top-level
research, academics, and innovation at the cutting-edge of science and technology. The
school’s mission is to prepare bright women and men in becoming tomorrow’s
outstanding scientists, researchers, managers and public officials. Among its
alumni and previous professors and researchers, are four Nobel Prize winners, three
previous French presidents, several leaders in business and industries (such as
Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH), and world-renowned scientists. The school has
long-standing relationships in research and students exchanges with multiple Indian
institutions including IIT Madras and IIT Bangalore.
Indian Students express interest in l’X Bachelor and Masters of Science and
Technology
The interests of current Indian students lie in scientific training at Bachelor’s level and a more
business-oriented education at Master’s level. There is therefore high potential for Bachelor’s
and Masters of Science and Technology type courses offered at École Polytechnique. Both
programs, entirely taught in English, currently feature 60% international students and
are very popular among Indian students.
Launched in 2017, the Bachelor of Science program, a three-year undergraduate program, is
a research-oriented curriculum taught by professors in an international environment of
excellence. After a first year of common core classes, bachelor students will have a choice
between three specializations: mathematics and computer science, mathematics and
economics, or mathematics and physics.
Launched in 2016, the Masters of Science & Technology (MSc&T) programs at École
Polytechnique are two-year programs providing a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary education
and in-depth scientific knowledge relevant to students’ career interests. These programs equip
students with practical skills and offer a venue for personal development as well as the
necessary work experience to “hit the ground running” in industry and be immediately efficient
and successful in their early career. Students have the opportunity to choose from 8 different
specializations including: Energy Environment: Science Technology and Management
(STEEM); Economics, Data Analytics and Corporate Finance; Smart Cities and Urban Policy;
Data Science for Business (dual degree with HEC Paris); Internet of Things: Innovation and
Management; Ecotechnologies for Sustainability and Environment Management,
Cybersecurity : Threats and Defenses; and Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Visual
Computing.
In 2019, École Polytechnique received the esteemed “Bienvenue en France” Label (“Choose
France Certification”) at its highest possible level. The school currently hosts over 35 Indian
students, who are present in nearly all the programs offered at l’X, ranging from Bachelor to
PhD level. This year, 15 Indian students are enrolled in PhDs programs and working
in 10 on-campus laboratories at École Polytechnique, including the Laboratory of Irradiated
Solids (LSI) and Solid Mechanics Laboratory (LMS). The LSI convenes experts across
disciplines to explore fundamental properties of the solid state and its various interactions with
radiation (photons, electrons, ions), with multiple goals such as understanding the key factors
determining the response of materials to radiation, checking the structural modification of
(nano)materials, etc. The LMS “builds, analyzes and validates experimentally and
numerically thermodynamically consistent models making it possible to meet major
scientific and technical challenges” as stated by the lab’s Director.
L’X target priorities to work on with leading Indian institutions and research
centers
The Indian government has strong ambitions to boost the global standing of its top universities
and attract foreign students and academics and research collaborations. In 2019, India’s
science ministry made the choice to increase the budget of the department of science and
technology; biotechnology; and scientific and industrial research by almost 11% (144 billion
rupees in the 2020–21 budget)1
. L’X has also defined 4 priority areas in terms of research
cooperation with India, including:
1. Urban Development / Smart Cities
2. Environment and Climate Change
3. Renewable Energies
4. Information Technology
Joint research projects, visiting professors, and students exchange programs are set to increase
in the months to come along with new partnerships to be signed with scientific institutions.
Introducing Institut Polytechnique de Paris, a world-class institute for science
and technology
Created in 2019 and stemming from the initiative put in place by French President Emmanuel
Macron, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, also known as Polytechnique Paris, brings together
five prestigious French engineering schools: École Polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris,
Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis. They have one common ambition and mission: to
create a world-class institute for cutting-edge research and training programs of
excellence. Polytechnique Paris includes 7,500 students, 950 faculty members, 1,000 PhD students and 30 laboratories. Institut Polytechnique de Paris is currently investigating the
possibility of opening a representative office in India as the country is one of the institute’s top
priorities over the next five years.
L’X at a glance
History
● Created in 1794
● Motto: Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire” (“For the Homeland, Science and
Glory”).
Campus
● 400 acres in Palaiseau (10-miles south of Paris)
● 1,500 student apartments on campus
● 20 acres of outdoor sports facilities
Students, Alumni, professors
● 4 Nobel Prize winners
● 3 Fields medals (alumni and long-term academic professors)
● 1,100 professors (all ranks)
● 3,500 students
o 2,930 undergraduate students
o 570 graduate students
Research
● 23 laboratories
● 1,600 research personnel
● 1,350 publications
International rankings
● 2nd worldwide in THE’s 2019 “World’s Best Small Universities” ranking
● 4th worldwide in THE’s 2017 “Best University for the Education of Fortune 500
Executives” ranking