More than 7,300 participants from 110 countries gathered in Toulouse, France, for an exciting week of learning and networking at the 34th European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference and Exhibition. This annual event serves as an excellent platform for building new partnerships and strengthening existing collaborations in higher education.

To mark the occasion, Icam hosted an exclusive reception for representatives of Jesuit universities at its Toulouse campus on September 17 at 6:00 PM. Among the guests were delegations from institutions such as Universidad Loyola Andalucía (Spain), Université de Namur and Institut HELMo Gramme (Belgium), ITESO and IBERO (Mexico), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), Sophia University (Japan), Universidad Católica de Córdoba (Argentina), Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, and the neighboring Ecole d'Ingénieurs de Purpan (France).

The visit began with a tour of Icam’s "école de production" (production school), a special feature of the institution. Each Icam site in France operates its own production school, offering young people aged 14 to 18 who have struggled within traditional education systems a chance to re-engage with learning. The program focuses on practical, hands-on training designed to reignite a passion for learning and help students earn a diploma. These schools are part of the Loyola Formation network, which applies Ignatian pedagogy to support individuals facing challenges, fostering their personal and professional growth. The approach emphasizes compassion, mutual support, active learning, reflective practice, and developing a strong sense of service.

Next, visitors toured Icam’s Research Department, a cornerstone of the institution's ongoing development. Researchers at Icam focus on cutting-edge projects in areas such as energy production, storage and management, innovative structures and materials, as well as the societal and technological transition of businesses. Central to all these endeavors is a commitment to integral ecology—innovating in ways that benefit both people and the planet.

Guests also had the opportunity to witness a real-world project undertaken by final-year Master's students in engineering. These projects, developed in collaboration with client companies, span various fields including automation, electronics, energy, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, IT, materials science, and mechanical engineering. This hands-on experience allows students to apply their knowledge in practical settings, further enhancing their skill sets.

According to several visitors, the tour offered valuable insight into the training of "Ingénieur Généraliste" at Icam, helping them better understand the comprehensive and versatile nature of the institution’s engineering program.

The event concluded with a warm welcome from Icam’s Toulouse Campus Director, the Deputy Director of International Programs, and the Icam General Manager. Attendees then gathered for a buffet reception, which provided an excellent opportunity for strengthening relationships, forging new connections, and discussing potential future collaborations, some of which are already in motion.

Icam was delighted to host its Jesuit partners for such an enriching and convivial event.