Oldest school seeks new tie

France's oldest grande ecole, the elite engineering school Ponts et Chaussées, is undergoing a transformation as it opens up internationally and expands its programmes to provide more management and business studies courses, as well as revamping its traditional training for engineers.

The Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, which is connected to the ministry of works, transport and housing, was set up in 1747, more than 40 years before the French revolution. France's railways and canals, as well as bridges and roads - the ponts and chaussées - owe much to generations of the school's graduates.

It has maintained its reputation as a top specialist engineering school for 250 years, adapting to change with new chairs in disciplines such as applied electricity, urban development and aviation.

After the second world war, as the economy expanded, the school faced an increased demand for engineers; and during the 30 years from 1960 its programmes evolved to keep up with technical, scientific and technological developments relating to construction, town planning and environmental protection.

Now Pierre Veltz, the school's director, said it was planning and implementing changes "to adapt to the needs of business and the demands of students in a competitive market opening to internationalisation". It aims to train engineers in both scientific and managerial skills and to build up an internationally recognised centre of expertise in urbanism and the environment.

Many students now pass through the school "without touching bridges or roads", said Mr Veltz. This sometimes perturbs older graduates whose careers were rooted in engineering. Today's students increasingly follow careers in management, in fields such as finance, banking or insurance.

The school is widening its intake, and hopes to attract more students from overseas an women, who make up only 20 per cent of students.

ENPC provides initial training in engineering, doctoral studies and degrees in continuing training, such as the ENPC MBA, which is taught entirely in English, and a specialised technical masters. All are open to overseas students, but entry requirements vary from course to course.

Ponts et Chaussées has agreements with Imperial College, London, and Southampton University, but differences in initial engineering courses between the UK and France mean British students cannot qualify for the double diplomas that ENPC awards in partnership with universities in other countries. However, students from British universities can spend a year or a semester studying at the Paris school and credits obtained there count towards their British degree.

Ten years ago, ENPC formed ParisTech with eight other top engineering institutes to further international cooperation and promote the quality of their graduates overseas.

International MBA: www.enpc.fr/mba
Doctoral training: www.enpc.fr/cd/ fidoct.htm