As future engineers, it is imperative that we engage in the sustainable development of tomorrow’s technologies. Recognizing that our current courses do not fully integrate sustainable development issues, Polytech Paris-Saclay founded the Club DDRS (Développement Durable et Responsabilité Sociétale) in 2019 to foster independent student commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
We, Maria and Corentin, joined the club 4 and 2 years ago, respectively. Our decision to join stemmed from a desire to connect with like-minded individuals who share our values regarding sustainability and to initiate impactful projects within Polytech and University Paris-Saclay. The club's primary objective is to raise awareness among students about environmental protection and social equity. In pursuit of these goals, the club has organized several notable events including World Cleanup Day, the Charity Run, and "Polytech Roule pour le Téléthon"
World Cleanup Day brings together students and volunteers annually to collect waste in the Université Paris-Saclay area. The Charity Run raises funds for associations through an annual running event, while "Polytech Roule pour le Téléthon" contributes to the French association Téléthon's efforts to treat rare diseases. Organizing these events presents significant challenges, but the positive feedback from participants, often saying "It was great! We should do it again next year!", reaffirms our conviction. This dedication to sustainability is not just a temporary engagement; it is a lifelong commitment. Today, we are fortunate to be part of this club where our values align, but it is also a mindset that we will carry with us after our studies.
Currently, the club's focus is primarily on raising awareness at Polytech, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which occurred shortly after the club's establishment in 2019 and may have hindered student and academic engagement. Nevertheless, we envision expanding the club into a larger entity capable of implementing more concrete sustainability projects in the future.
Corentin Coutellier and Maria Rakotoarison are currently students at the French engineering school Polytech Paris-Saclay, specializing in Photonics and Optronic Systems, and student members of the Club Développement Durable et Responsabilité Sociétale (DDRS) - Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility. As future engineers, they are both convinced of the importance of involving the next generation of engineers in sustainable issues.