ENSAI Part of an Unprecedented Development Plan

10 April 2024 

With a 50% increase in the number of students by 2027 and plans to create a new scientific hub with CentraleSupélec and ENS Rennes by 2030, ENSAI is reaffirming its ambition as a leader in Data Science education and research. 

In an era when data and artificial intelligence are at the heart of the design and deployment of public policies and industrial strategies, the shortage of talent is a real challenge. To meet these challenges, ENSAI is drawing on the “GENES 2027″* plan, backed by the Group of National Schools of Economics and Statistics, and is developing two projects that will be at the heart of its strategy in the coming years:  

  • A 50% progressive increase in the size of classes, bringing to 250 the number of graduating data scientists per year, including more than 80 public data scientists hired by France’s NSI, Insee, ministries and other public institutions. 
  • A project with CentraleSupélec and ENS Rennes to create a joint scientific hub near the Beaulieu university campus. 

 

50% increase in data scientists graduating from ENSAI by 2027

For almost 30 years, ENSAI has been educating students to become experts in Data Science, for both the private sector and French civil service. To meet the growing demand from public authorities and as well as private companies, ENSAI will gradually increase the size of its graduating classes by 50% by 2027, from 170 to 250 data scientists per year, while maintaining the high quality of its innovative scientific and operational courses. 

To achieve this, ENSAI will be relying on an increase in admissions via the scientific preparatory programs (MP, MPI, PC and PSI) for the national competitive exam (Concours commun des instituts nationaux polytechniques), as well as an increase in qualifications-based admissions: BUT Data Science and BUT Computer Science, university Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from France and abroad. 

The partnership with the University of Rennes, approved by the governing bodies of both establishments, will also strengthen academic partnerships and pathways with all the schools and components of this university.

 

“We live in a world surrounded by data, where the need for more data experts, capable of supporting public institutions and companies in their challenges linked to environmental transitions, digital developments, and industrial changes continues to increase. At ENSAI, we are proud to contribute to these challenges, by offering a proven and renowned program for leading-edge data scientists, capable of working in a wide range of sectors, in both the public and private spheres. And we are proud that these excellent training programs are based in Rennes, thus contributing to the attractiveness of Brittany.”

Ronan Le Saout, Director of ENSAI 

  

 

Towards a joint scientific hub with CentraleSupélec and ENS Rennes by 2030

Since 1996, ENSAI has been located on the Ker Lann Campus in Bruz, near Rennes. In anticipation of its future growth, as data-related professions are set to expand significantly over the coming decades, ENSAI, along with CentraleSupélec and ENS Rennes, is at the heart of an ambitious project  to create a joint scientific hub  dedicated to science, engineering technology, and mathematics. The chosen location, in Cesson-Sévigné, is the current CentraleSupélec site, close to the Beaulieu university campus. 

This project aims to bring a new dynamic to the three schools, with the possibility of welcoming more students but also opening new educational synergies, pooling facilities (lecture halls, library, sports facilities, etc.) and offering an even richer student life. 

From an academic and scientific standpoint, ENSAI, ENS Rennes, and CentraleSupélec will benefit from this geographical proximity to achieve their goals in terms of research: access to the technical platforms and research institutions located on the Beaulieu campus, synergies between courses and programs for doctoral students, high-level scientific collaborations, and opportunities to collaborate with local economic players, particularly Deep techs around the site. 

The urban and technical study is underway, and the project’s financial plan will be submitted in autumn 2024. The goal is for the new buildings to be operational for the start of the 2030 academic year. 

  

*Read the French version of the press release “GENES 2027 Development Plan“ 

More information in the “GENES 2027” press kit