The first and only North American member of the T.I.M.E. (Top International Managers in Engineering) network since 2016, Polytechnique is part of a community of 57 prestigious institutions across 24 countries. The T.I.M.E. network is particularly dedicated to promoting dual master’s degrees and advancing the internationalization of engineering education.
Maud Cohen, directrice générale de Polytechnique Montréal, Didier Clouteau, président du réseau T.I.M.E. (également directeur du Département de mécanique, énergétique et génie des procédés à CentraleSupélec) et Gwenaëlle Guillerme, secrétaire générale du réseau. (Photo : Thierry du Bois)
From October 16 to 21, Polytechnique Montréal hosted, for the first time, the T.I.M.E. network’s General Assembly, along with the second edition of the International Exchange and Internship Program Fair. During this major event, we had the opportunity to meet Didier Clouteau, President of the T.I.M.E. network (also Director of the Department of Mechanics, Energy, and Process Engineering at CentraleSupélec), Gwenaëlle Guillerme, Secretary General of the network, and Maud Cohen, General Director of Polytechnique Montréal.
The T.I.M.E. network is built on excellence in engineering and international collaboration, emphasizing cooperation over competition among its 57 member institutions. This fosters knowledge sharing and student mobility. Beyond academic exchanges, T.I.M.E. promotes the vision of an “engineer-humanist”—professionals with strong scientific expertise, cultural openness, and adaptability. The network values harmonizing diversity rather than standardizing education, a principle that aligns with Polytechnique Montréal’s strategic focus on collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and global perspectives.
Hosting the General Assembly in North America for the first time marked a significant milestone, strengthening ties between Polytechnique Montréal and the network. The event also provided insights into the Quebec education system, offering new perspectives for T.I.M.E.’s expansion beyond Europe. This closer Europe-Canada collaboration was seen as particularly meaningful in today’s international landscape.
International exposure plays a crucial role in engineering education, helping students step out of their comfort zones, develop global awareness, and gain essential leadership skills in a globalized job market. At Polytechnique, international experiences are seen as accelerators of adaptability and resilience, key qualities in a rapidly evolving technological world.
Looking ahead, T.I.M.E.’s flagship double-degree program remains central, alongside new innovative projects such as the International Specialization in Industrial & System Engineering (ISIE), coordinated by Polytechnique Montréal with partners in Portugal, Sweden, and Brazil, supported by L’Oréal. The network is also focusing on sustainability collaborations, curriculum harmonization, and expanding into new regions. Efforts are being made to ensure social diversity through scholarship programs and leverage international partnerships to enhance research collaborations and accreditation standards, making global education pathways more accessible for students.
In summary, T.I.M.E. continues to drive internationalization in engineering education, fostering mobility, innovation, and strong global partnerships to prepare future engineers for the challenges of an interconnected world.
Full interview (in french) – https://www.polymtl.ca/carrefour-actualite/magazine-poly/futurs-ingenieurs-le-monde-pour-horizon