In a ceremony held in the "Grand Amphi" of the school in Paris on May 5, 2011, Professor Horst Hippler, Rector of University of Karlsruhe in Germany, and Eric Benhamou, former CEO of 3Com and Palm, and current AFAM President and Founder received the title of Docteur Honoris Causa . Taking a page from the book of major American universities, Arts et Métiers ParisTech started what will hopefully become a formal tradition and chose to honor two individuals, one from the world of academia, and the other from the world of industry, who have made significant contributions to the school's reputation and the value of its diplomas, both domestically and overseas. The ceremony was presided by Professor Gérard Coffignal, director of doctoral studies, under the patronage of Education Minister Madame Valérie Pecresse, and featured dignified academic garments and classical music. Director Jean-Paul Hautier awarded the doctoral degrees on behalf of the school. Louis Magne, major donor, also joined via audio link and received an honorific plaque (now displayed in the Grand Amphi) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the school.
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"Arts et Métiers ParisTech students are renowned among our faculties for their technical capabilities and their motivations ..." - Prof David Dornfeld, U.C. Berkeley Dean of Mechanical Engineering
On February 10, 2011, Arts et Métiers ParisTech signed a partnership agreement with University of California, Berkeley to expand their research cooperation through the bilateral exchange of graduate students and researchers. The fields of focus include green building technologies, sustainable manufacturing, and smart grids. Under the terms of the agreement, several graduate research positions will be set aside by U.C.Berkeley for qualified Arts et Métiers ParisTech graduate students every year. In addition, graduate students from U.C. Berkeley will have the option to follow a Masters curriculum at Arts et Métiers ParisTech and apply to industrial internship positions in France through the Arts et Métiers ParisTech industry connections and intern placement services. The collaboration agreement was signed by UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau and by Arts et Métiers ParisTech Vice Chairman in charge of International Affairs Jean-Marie Castelain. Much of the work that lead to this agreement can be credited to Professor David Dornfeld, Chair of U.C. Berkeley's Mechanical Engineering's department and to AFAM board member Xavier Wartelle, General Manager of Paris Region Internal Mission Enterprise (PRIME). Also present at the ceremony were Materials Science and Engineering Professor Ronald Gronsky, Audrey Stewart, Arts et Métiers ParisTech International Relations, Thomas Deschamps from the San Francisco Consulat de France, and Eric Benhamou, President of AFAM.
On October 18th at the French Consulate in New York City, Arts et Metiers Paristech alumni were extremely pleased to participate in an event organized by the AAGEF. AAGEF (American Associations of Grandes Ecoles de France - www.aagef.org) regroups the most prestigious French Grandes Ecoles. Despite restricted attendance, 18 schools were represented. AFAM's presence was strongly noticed with 9 alumni (7 of whom are the happy campers in the following photo). Our thanks to all the Alumni who participated, to all our French Grandes Ecoles friends who were there with us, to the Consul General who was a remarkable host, and of course to the AAGEF for inviting us and making this event a success. While the AFAM has not yet formally joined AAGEF, our application is in the final stages of review by the AAGEF board. Together, we look forward to help improve our relationships with other Grandes Ecoles represented in the US, and to boost our social and professional agendas for the benefit of our members.
Thomas Ferre, CFO, on behalf of the American Friends of Arts et Metiers ParisTech