"ENGAGE" : Revitalizing and Structuring Student Engagement

Post-COVID dynamics have led to a decline in student engagement. In response, the “ENGAGE” project, launched at the beginning of the 2024 academic year, seeks to reimagine student involvement in line with the school’s core values and the evolving expectations of a new generation of learners.

To gain deeper insight into the objectives, scope, and specific actions of this initiative, we asked five key questions to Cloé Rollé, Head of Student and Association Life at the School.

What are the main objectives of the ENGAGE project?

ENGAGE is an ambitious and inspiring initiative aimed at revitalizing student engagement within our school. Following the COVID crisis, we observed a notable decline in participation from both students and support structures. This made it crucial to rethink engagement from every perspective, addressing the diverse needs and expectations of all students, especially those in work-study programs.

Through ENGAGE, we are driving a meaningful transformation, making student engagement a central pillar of the overall student experience!

What are the key elements of the ENGAGE strategy?

The ENGAGE project is based on five key principles:

1. Recognizing different types of engagement: To value all forms of participation—academic, sports, social, or cultural—we have chosen to recognize various types of engagement.
2. Providing suitable conditions for engagement: To encourage students to re-engage, we’ve created a welcoming environment conducive to teamwork.
3. Training students: We will offer tailored training to ensure students can engage effectively and constructively.
4. Guidance and Support: To guide engaged students throughout their journey, we will offer follow-up sessions where we evaluate their progress and adapt to their needs.
5. Valuing engagement: Engagement should foster personal growth and fulfillment. We will ensure that students’ involvement becomes a distinguishing feature in their academic and professional careers.

You mentioned creating an environment conducive to engagement. What new spaces and innovative tools have been implemented to encourage and facilitate student involvement?

The ENGAGE project is closely linked to the opening of the expanded Trudaine XL campus and is fully integrated into the REVEAL 2022-2027 strategic plan, which aims to promote overall student engagement. All student living and working spaces have been redesigned and renovated! The “Living’Up” space, a new 400 m² meeting, working, and creativity hub, allows association members and engaged students to gather and receive guidance from their mentors.

In addition to these physical spaces, we’ve invested in modern, high-performance tools and resources. Students also have access to licenses for software like Canva Pro and Photoshop, enabling them to create professional-quality communication materials. Moreover, to improve coordination among association members, we’re setting up online discussion spaces that facilitate information sharing and project management.

What training initiatives are planned for engaged students?

Training and follow-up are two essential pillars of the ENGAGE project. We offer tailored training based on the specific roles and responsibilities of each type of engagement. For example, communication training for those who need it, awareness sessions on important topics like disability and combating sexual violence, and even financial management training with expert professors.

We also place great emphasis on project follow-up (attendance sheets, monthly meetings, interactions with designated contacts, etc.). We want every engaged student to know they have our full support with clear goals and regular checkpoints to measure their progress!

How does ENGAGE plan to value student engagement in the short and long term?

To value engagement, it’s essential first to create the conditions that make it possible. That’s why specific time slots, such as Thursday afternoons, are set aside to allow students to engage without conflicting with their academic obligations.

In the short term, we will award credits to recognize students’ efforts, organize a Student Initiatives Day to showcase their projects, and provide increased visibility through the My ESC student portal. We will also give a voice to engaged students within the school’s various councils.

In the long term, our goal is to help students acquire skills and knowledge that will serve them throughout their lives. We plan to create an engagement skills portfolio, with access to workshops like Make Sense to reinforce these skills.