The World Atlantic Kelio Event promotes the integration of international students at IMT Atlantique

Promoting the integration of international students

The main objective of WAKE is to promote the integration of international students at IMT Atlantique through a sporting and cultural event organised by them. The initiative was born out of the desire to promote international and multicultural dynamics on campus following the COVID crisis that has had a major impact on international students. The team of BDI students, who were highly motivated to organise the event, received the support of Kelio, sponsor of the ArchOps research consortium. ArchOps, which raises awareness of distributed software architectures, also aims to promote student exchange programs, either by granting scholarships for trips abroad or, as in this case, by supporting an integration weekend for international students.

"We are proud to have been able to support such an event which echoes the values and commitments of our company: internationalism, innovation, team spirit and dedication. This is a great success for the students of IMT Atlantique", says Freddy Clenet, Head of Research at Kelio.

15 enthusiastic international students at the helm

Since January 2022, the student organisers of WAKE have been brimming with ideas. Despite their differences and language barriers, they share their enthusiasm for the project, and have been supported along the way by the "The Big Three" as the students called them. Namely, those in charge of ArchOps, the corporate partnerships team, and the physical and sporting activities coordinators at IMT Atlantique. The sponsor, Kelio, worked alongside the students, providing encouragement and support.

"Organizing the WAKE from A to Z was a pretty mammoth undertaking, but we created a great event over three days with non-stop sports, culture and fun. It was a lot of work, but when I see our teams and the work we all put in, I am REALLY proud of what we accomplished together. A huge thank you to all those who made this 1st WAKE event possible" says Selma Sabri, the Moroccan President of the International Student Office and of the WAKE Organizing Committee.

Nao Tamatsukuri, the Japanese vice-president says he was "immensely proud to have been able to participate in the organisation of this event! A new kind of event in our technological university with a view to fostering intercultural integration."

Mouadh Bondka, a Tunisian member of the communication team, describes it as "a unique and enriching experience. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet and work with extraordinary people, but it was also a great opportunity for me to attend and participate in the different aspects of preparing an event, especially on this scale."

"This experience has really consolidated the fact that I want to work in multinational environments, in a position that gives me creative freedom. Thanks to this project I was also able to make new friends with whom I share the same ambitions and the same values of service and open-mindedness," says Ghaia Belaakaria, a Tunisian student at the head of the communication team.