International Women's Day: IP Paris supports the promotion of women in science
Centre égalité des chances IP Paris: A day dedicated to women and science
On March 8, 2025, the Centre Égalité des Chances of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris) is organizing a special “Women and Science” day in partnership with Les Entretiens de l'Excellence.
The aim is to encourage girls to consider a career in science and engineering by promoting exchanges with female students and professionals from IP Paris member schools. The event will welcome 250 middle and high school girls from the Île-de-France, Orléans-Tours and Strasbourg academies, as part of partnerships with the French Ministry of Education and the national “Cordées de la réussite” program.
A two-part program to inspire and exchange ideas
Morning on the École Polytechnique campus: after a welcome session in the amphitheatre, secondary school girls will have the opportunity to talk directly with students from IP Paris' member schools. These meetings will enable them to discover their backgrounds, experiences and the opportunities offered by scientific and engineering training.
Afternoon on the ENSAE campus: after a second welcome session, participants will have the opportunity to talk with professionals from the IP Paris network (alumni, researchers, engineers, experts from laboratories and interdisciplinary centers). These exchanges will give them a concrete view of scientific careers.
École polytechnique: Women in Science Month to promote women in scientific careers
École Polytechnique is strongly committed to promoting the place of women in scientific and technical careers, and is stepping up initiatives to raise the profile of these careers among young girls and promote women in these fields.
For example, between February 11, 2025 (International Day of Women and Girls in Science) and March 8, 2025 (International Women's Rights Day), École Polytechnique is organizing, with the support of the Fondation de l'École polytechnique, a Women and Science Month.
Through a series of events such as portraits, cafés, videos and a conference, École Polytechnique is giving a voice to women scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, PhD students and students, to highlight their inspiring careers and their contributions to the world of science.
To kick off this celebration, École Polytechnique has chosen to honor Madame Anne Duthilleul-Chopinet, the first female major in the history of the school, a symbol of excellence and success for women in scientific and technical careers.
École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées honors Marie-France Clugnet
École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (ENPC) is also taking part in this dynamic by inaugurating, on Thursday March 6, 2025, its first amphitheater to bear the name of a woman: Marie-France Clugnet, the school's first female graduate.
The ceremony will take place in the presence of Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Ecological Transition, and will be followed by a visit to the “Un cliché contre des clichés” exhibition, showcasing women engineers and the diversity of scientific careers.
Hi! PARIS Center: Breaking barriers to encourage women in STEM
On February 14, 2025, the Hi! PARIS center organized a round-table discussion entitled “Breaking high-school barriers: Empowering girls to envision themselves in STEM”. The event brought together female scientists, leaders and educators to address a worrying finding: despite decades of initiatives, women remain under-represented in STEM.
The event emphasized that, although policies exist, they are not enough to eliminate social and cultural barriers. It is crucial to empower girls from high school onwards to imagine themselves in these careers, by breaking down stereotypes and offering concrete opportunities.
A strong commitment to equality
These events illustrate the commitment of IP Paris' member schools to equal opportunities and the promotion of women in science and technology. By raising awareness and inspiring young girls, IP Paris is actively helping to build a more inclusive future in science and engineering careers.