2016
Annual report
President’s message
Jacques Biot
President of École Polytechnique
With the government and its alumni support, École Polytechnique is among the best institutions in the international competition of the major universities of science and technology. In 2016, continued its fundamental transformation, respecting its values of excellence, pluridisciplinarity, audacity and contribution to the general interest. It has embarked on a program of recruiting world-class additional researchers, has launched Graduate Degrees programs in English, aligned with international standards, and has continued the expansion and growth of its entrepreneurial program. In 2017, in accordance with the Objectives and Performance contract signed at the end of 2016 with the Minister of Defense, l’X will amplify its policy of growth and development of its brand. This ambitious policy will be reflected, in particular, in its academic offer, by launching a highly selective Bachelor program delivered in English and aimed at top level international students with very high potential in science and particularly in mathematics; and by deploying «PhD Track», a doctoral program lasting five years and aimed at exceptional students conducting research projects at École Polytechnique’s laboratories. The ambitious development of École Polytechnique’s scientific, academic and economic programs in an ever-widening international perspective, while respecting diversity, will be fostered by the support of the second fundraising campaign of The École Polytechnique Foundation which will play a catalytic role to accompany and accelerate École Polytechnique’s investments for the future.
Academic programs at l’X
École Polytechnique reinforced the diversification of its academic offer this year. In addition to its three basic training programs – Ingénieur Polytechnicien program, Master’s and Doctoral national diploma and continuing education programs which are part of its Executive Education department, l’X now offers academic programs in accordance with international standards. It launched its «PhD Track», hosted its first Graduate Degrees class and began recruiting for its Bachelor program, which will open in September 2017. In addition, 2016 was marked by the launch of the Executive Master and of the first cooperative Master’s program PIC («Project - Innovation - Conception») in partnership with companies turned towards the management of innovative projects.
Research at l’X
Advancing scientific knowledge and responding to the major application, technological and societal challenges of the 21st century. These are the objectives of École Polytechnique’s Research Center, which brings together 22 laboratories, positioned on 8 scientific subjects, and includes 1,650 research staff. This year again, the excellence of its production was recognized by the ranking of the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) at both national (1st place) and international (36th place) levels. In addition, five researchers from l’X received
Entrepreneurship and Innovation at l’X
École Polytechnique develops its reputation on an international scale, promotes student mobility and deploys strategic collaborations with a tight number of world-class institutions. A strategy that ranks it 29th in the top 200 of the most internationalized universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education. In 2016, l’X strengthened its presence in Africa with the opening of a new examination center in Abidjan. It has also stepped up its outreach in Asia with the signing of cooperation agreements with KAIST in Korea and double degree agreements with the University of Zhejiang in China and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in Vietnam.
International Relations at l’X
École Polytechnique develops its reputation on an international scale, promotes student mobility and deploys strategic collaborations with a tight number of world-class institutions. A strategy that ranks it 29th in the top 200 of the most internationalized universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education. In 2016, l’X strengthened its presence in Africa with the opening of a new examination center in Abidjan. It has also stepped up its outreach in Asia with the signing of cooperation agreements with KAIST in Korea and double degree agreements with the University of Zhejiang in China and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in Vietnam.
Corporate Connections at l’X
Through internships in France and abroad, research subjects within the framework of students’ joint scientific projects or CIFRE contracts for doctoral students, École Polytechnique multiplies the contacts of its students with the professional world. This approach was distinguished by QS, giving l’X the 6th place among the best universities worldwide for the employability of its students. École Polytechnique also promotes synergies between scientists and industrialists in its 21 academic and research chairs, supported by 39 sponsoring companies, in fields such as energy, biomedical, materials, digital sciences and economy.
January
ONE OF THE BEST « SMALL UNIVERSITIES »
École Polytechnique is ranked 3rd worldwide in the ranking of the «world’s best small universities» for institutions with less than 5,000 students, published by Times Higher Education.
ISAE-SUPAERO, NEW PARTNER
L’X and ISAE-SUPAERO (Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace) sign a strategic partnership agreement allowing the two institutions to strengthen existing collaborations and develop new collaborations in research, academic affairs and entrepreneurship.
EXTENSION OF THE QUADRENNIAL CONTRACT WITH THE CNRS
L’X and the CNRS have signed an extension of their partnership agreement until December 31th, 2017; the agreement regards in particular the joint research units. The two institutions reaffirmed their willingness to continue this partnership and underlined the importance and interest of joint units in the development of high-level research.
February - March
ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE LAUNCHES ITS PHD PROGRAM
This five-year doctoral program, which opened in 2016 and is based on the Anglo-Saxon model of the PhD Track, is aimed at high‑potential students who wish to pursue their studies and research in one of École Polytechnique’s laboratories, in order to build an international career in academic institutions or leading companies.
AN INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY LABORATORY
École Polytechnique joined the CNRS and the Japanese NAIST to create a satellite laboratory dedicated to high-performance perovskite solar cells. The objective: to develop scientific collaborations and to explore the advanced technologies of the science of molecules.
CONNECTED OBJECTS AT THE HEART OF ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE’S EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
After the success of its program «Data Science Starter Program», l’X opened a new certificate program in the field of the internet of things.
A HIGHLY FOLLOWED MOOC
Seven PhD students from École Polytechnique elaborate an online course dedicated to the writing and publication process of a scientific article. Called «How to write a scientific paper», it attracts more than 20,000 followers in six months, making it the most attractive MOOC of l’X.
FOR DIVERSITY AND SUCCESS
École Polytechnique welcomes the 10th edition of the program «Une Grande École, Pourquoi Pas Moi?», which tutors 90 students of the Essonne department in order to fight against self-censorship and to develop the ambition to accede to academic sectors of excellence.
April - MAY
ENTRANCE EXAM OPEN TO BCPST
L’X announces the opening of its entrance exam, starting in 2017, to candidates from the preparatory classes «Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences» (BCPST).
DOUBLE-DEGREE AGREEMENT WITH BELGIUM
L’X signs a double-degree agreement with Université libre de Bruxelles (EPB).
L’X, PARTNER OF THE ENERGY AND PROSPERITY CHAIR
The Energy and Prosperity Chair supports an academic research of excellence seeking to propose new financing tools for energy transition. It brings together seven sponsors around three academic partners: École Normale Supérieure, ENSAE ParisTech and École Polytechnique.
A BUILDING FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
École Polytechnique inaugurates its center for innovation and entrepreneurship on the campus, called LA FIBRE ENTREPRENEUR - DRAHI - X Novation Center, in the presence of Patrick Drahi (X 1983). It hosts the accelerator, incubator and fablab of l’X.
L’X STANDS OUT AT THE “MIT INNOVATOR UNDER 35”
Matthew Claybrough (X2009), founder of Donecle, is among the 10 most promising young entrepreneurs under 35 according to the MIT Technology Review. The name of Franz Bozsak, founder of Instent, a spin-off of l’X, is also in the prize list.
June - July - August
FRENCH TECH TICKET FOR X-UP
X-Up Accelerator is selected to participate in the French Tech Ticket, a program designed to attract the best foreign entrepreneurs in France.
THE MALINVAUD PRIZE AWARDED TO A PROFESSOR FROM L’X
The French Association of Economic Science awards the Malinvaud Prize to Isabelle Méjean, associate professor at École Polytechnique. This award recognizes an economist under the age of 40, author of the best scientific article published in a reference journal.
WELCOME TO X 2016
This year, l’X holds an information day for students from the class of 2016 who start their studies at l’X and for their families.
L’X PARADE’S ON JULY, 14TH
As every year, first-year ingénieur polytechnicien students participate in the military parade of July, 14th on the Champs-Elysées.
September - October
FIRST ACADEMIC YEAR FOR THE GRADUATE DEGREES’ STUDENTS
École Polytechnique opens its first three Graduate Degree programs and welcomes the first class of 39 students.
LAUNCH OF THE EXECUTIVE MASTER
L’X launches its certificate «Executive Master» program for experienced executives with high potential.
CONCENTRATION OF NOBEL PRIZES
L’X is ranked 6th in the world for the proportion of Nobel laureates among its graduates, according to Nature magazine’s ranking.
THE NEW FINANCIAL REGULATION CHAIR
Inspired by l’X and the École Polytechnique Foundation, the new academic and research chair «Statistics and models for financial regulation» aims to bring new answers to the financial system regulation problems.
JOHN CHAMBERS VISITS L’X
Accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, John Chambers, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cisco, visits l’X. It was the opportunity for him to remind, once again, the incredible potential of France.
ERC SCHOLARSHIPS RECORD
This year the European Research Council (ERC) awards five scholarships to researchers from l’X: four «starting grants» and a «proof of concept».
AMBASSADORS OF DIVERSITY
For their civil internship, Ingénieur Polytechnicien students become, for 5 months, ambassadors of diversity in the framework of the X-talents campaign, École Polytechnique’s national campaign for the detection and support of talents in high schools situated in priority education areas in France.
FOR GIRLS AND SCIENCE
L’X welcomed 100 high-school female students for the «Girls and Mathematics» Day, organized in the presence of Laurence Rossignol, Minister of Women’s Rights, to encourage girls to move towards scientific and technical studies. This day is part of the X-au féminin program, which welcomes 1,000 high school female students a year.
November - December
L’X IS FAVORED BY EMPLOYERS
The Graduate Employability Rankings (QS), which ranks the top performing universities in terms of student employability from the point of view of recruiters, ranks École Polytechnique in sixth place worldwide.
THE BACHELOR RECRUITS ITS FIRST CLASS
The Bachelor of l’X which will host its first class in September 2017 opens its first application session. The objective is to recruit highlevel international students and attract French bachelors enrolled in a program abroad.
FUNDRAISING: 5 YEARS ADVENTURE BEGINS
The École Polytechnique Foundation launches its second fundraising campaign under the presidency of Xavier Huillard (X 1973), with a target of €80 million over five years for individuals and companies.
FOCUSING ON 2021
Jacques Biot, President of École Polytechnique, and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Defense, signed the new Objectives and Performance Contract (COP) 2017-2021 for École Polytechnique, which sets out an ambitious strategy for growth and development of its brand.
NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL
François Bouchet is appointed new Director General of École Polytechnique at the Council of Ministers on December, 14th. He succeeds the General Engineer of the Armament Yves Demay.
Overall budget = €143 million
REVENUES
EXPENSES
