French Engineers: Engines Need to be Studied in Samara

French students Romain Delekour and Baptiste Lolan-Suiyak graduated with bachelor's degree in the field of Aircraft Construction at the Polytechnic Institute of Advanced Science in Paris (IPSA – Institut polytechnique des sciences avancées). While choosing a university to continue their studies in magistracy, they wanted to make two dreams come true at once: love to rocket engines and Russia.

"For a long time I had wanted to visit Russia, so I was searching for Russian universities. Having studied the information about Samara University, I came here on an exchange programme for one term, and realized quickly that the University provides very serious training in aviation technology, and in my favourite topic –  aviation and rocket engines in particular, so I decided to continue my education here, in the magistracy, "- said Baptiste.

Being "fans" of engines, young people entered Master’s Programme "Power Plants and Energy Systems of Aircrafts". Romain and Baptiste preferred Samara University to the universities of Europe and the United States. Their decision was influenced by the level of training that Samara University provides in the field of engine building, an individual approach to education and the ability to work with real engines.

"At the Polytechnic Institute of Advanced Science in Paris, there is no equipment, no stands with real engines, which Samara University has. Therefore, for us, learning here is a unique and very useful experience, – emphasized Romain. –  Besides, for me, one more important reason for continuing education  here is  the status of Samara Region – the aerospace capital of Russia."

"The most interesting things for me were research works on the study of rocket engines. In France, we were taught several subjects on this topic, but they cannot even be compared, the amounts of useful information are incomparable", – added Baptiste.

Master’s Programme "Power Plants and Energy Systems of Aircrafts" is implemented within the scope of  “Aircraft Engines” area in the Institute of Engine and Power Plant Engineering.  This is an exchange programme in which foreign masters come to Samara University only for one term. French students became the first graduates of Samara and Paris Universities who graduated from the Magistracy in Samara and defended their thesis firstly in Russia and then in Samara. 

According to Valery Danilchenko, the chairman of the examination board, the chief designer of PJSC "Kuznetsov", Doctor of Engineering, Professor of Department of Aircraft Engine Theory the first experience of teaching French students in the Magistracy of Samara University was also useful for comparing the methods of education: "The example of Romain Delekour and Baptiste Lolan-Suiyak showed that in France there is a different approach to learning: subjects are not studied in such details, but the scope of knowledge is broader. The students are adapting to the profession. After having received an overall picture they choose an interesting topic for them and focus on specific issues, learning a lot on their own".

The diplomas of Romain Delekour and Baptiste Lolan-Suiyak are devoted to highly specialized topics related to gas turbine engines.

"The Frenchmen came to us, understanding that in Samara University they would receive the fullest consultation on the issues they are interested in – stressed Valery Danilchenko. – The Institute of Engine and Power Plant Engineering allocated 10 consultant teachers for them. As a result, the foreigners received the highest score for their papers, although initially their level of preparation in the field of engines was low. This is a good example for other students from France and Europe as a whole".

In May Romain and Baptiste defended their master's theses with distinction firstly in Samara, and then in Toulouse – in the presence of an extended examination board, including Vice-rectors of the University, as well as the representatives of French engine building and aircraft manufacturers. The young men are still thinking about their further career plans, but one thing is certain: their lives will be connected with aircraft engines. The education received at Samara University, gives them confidence in the obtained knowledge.

"The theses defense of French engineers at Samara University is a clear example of the quality of education that Samara University provides. The young men could have learnt practically anywhere in the world from the US to Australia and Japan, – said Alexander Vinogradov, the research supervisor of undergraduates, Associate Professor of the Department of Aircraft Construction and  Design. – Romain and Baptiste successfully defended their qualification work, written in Samara, Russia and France. I think this is the best evidence that our education as a whole is not inferior to the international one and it fully meets European qualification requirements".