MSc Project Management for Environmental and Energy Engineering celebrates its 20th anniversary

The PM3E course of the MSc Process and Bioprocess Engineering (PBPE) is supported by IMT Atlantique's Energy Systems and Environment Department - GEPEA lab, and has brought together a number of academic partners over the years*. Sary Awad, who is now in charge of the program, looks back on the history of this training program and its influence: "We started with a 3-semester program before offering a 2-year MSc course (120 ECTS) recognized by the State. This is a Master's degree co-accredited with the University of Nantes since 2018 (PM3E (IMT Atlantique), PM3F(Oniris) and MBE (Nantes Université) tracks), which the core curriculum (M1) takes place at IMT Atlantique. It has served as a Master's support for 3 Erasmus Mundus programs coordinated by the institution. Today, it is involved in double degree and Erasmus + mobility agreements, most recently with Indonesia, Lebanon and ESILV."

A community of 430 alumni worldwide

While the first cohort consisted of 6 students in 2003/2004, PM3E welcomes 40 students for the 2024/2025 academic year. The program's success is largely due to the fact that it combines the tools of project management, energy and environmental engineering and social sciences. "This program provides a wealth of knowledge and concrete benefits for future challenges and case studies practiced by industry in the climate change and sustainability sectors. Culturally, I had the opportunity to work and share knowledge and ideas with people of 28 different nationalities. This program has enabled me to forge links with students from all over the world who now live in the four corners of the globe," testifies Gaurav UPRETI, class of 2017, Climate change and sustainability officer at DNV in India.

To mark this anniversary, the managers and coordinators of the MSc PM3E organized a seminar on the Nantes campus in the presence of students, teaching staff and about thirty alumni, focusing on two themes: the decarbonisation of industry and the related professions of the future, and the circular economy and environmental issues. After a warm welcome from Stéphane Roy, Head of International Relations and Academic Partnerships at IMT Atlantique, the event moved on to a series of presentations by alumni on the topics addressed: Fabrice LEMOINE, Professor at the University of Lorraine, “Decarbonizing the industrial sector: taking up the challenge”; Maxime SCHENCKERY, Director of the Centre Economie et Management de l'Energie, IFPEN, “Carbon Manager / Energy Manager: tendances and opportunities”; Janez SUSNIK, Associate Professor, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, "Integrated resource management professions"; Valérie LAFOREST, Director of Research, Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne, "The circular economy: a driving force for ecological transition".

A high level of scientific expertise and close links with business

"Managing this Master's program has given me a lot. The high scientific level of the students and the excellence of the training require us to continually maintain a high level of rigor," emphasizes Sary Awad. "The geographical diversity of our students has enabled me to discover new cultures and appreciate the beauty of their nuances. As part of IMT Atlantique's international expansion, I was able to help create new academic relationships worldwide and renew ties with universities in my home country, Lebanon. The close ties between our students and companies (via guest lecturers, site visits and internships) have also enabled me to meet players in the private sector and discover their professions and skills needs. Today, I feel like I am sharing the bonds of the 'PM3E family' with all our alumni."

* Academic partners
Historicals: HKUST, QUB,  UPM, Uni Andes,  KTH et BME
Current:  IIT Delhi, BME, UniTN, UniBZ, Université de Boras, partners of FICEM, ESILV, Université Libanaise, Université Libanaise internationale, USEK.