Marcelle Laliberté appointed Academic Director of ESTP

The creation of this new department is part of a context of profound changes affecting both engineering professions and higher education. Decarbonization, digital technologies, evolving industrial processes, and new skills requirements are transforming the construction and development sectors. At the same time, professionals are increasingly seeking opportunities to develop their skills throughout their careers. ESTP's ambition is to strengthen the links between engineering education, skills development at each stage of a career, and the needs of businesses and society.

An experienced leader in higher education

Holding a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania, Marcelle Laliberté dedicates her research to the relationships between education, skills development, and organizational transformation. Throughout her career, she has led complex organizations, managed large program portfolios, supported accreditation processes, and developed training programs for thousands of learners.

According to Marcelle Laliberté, academic director of ESTP: “The built environment sector is currently undergoing profound transformations, at the crossroads of climate, technological and industrial challenges. Training plays a central role: it is no longer just about training for a job, but about supporting career paths over time and preparing professionals capable of evolving in complex environments and being agents of transformation.”

Marcelle Laliberté's main responsibilities will include:

• Strengthen the coherence, clarity and complementarity of the School's training offer;
• Ensure that the programs are aligned with the evolving nature of engineering professions and the needs of businesses;
• Supporting the evolution of teaching practices in response to new technologies, changes in professions and learner expectations;
• Develop training pathways aligned with the evolution of jobs and skills, in close collaboration with businesses and local stakeholders.

An integrated vision of training pathways

The new Academic Directorate will play a central role in ESTP's development strategy, around a single ambition: to strengthen the links between engineering training, professional development and lifelong learning.

For Marcelle Laliberté, one of ESTP's strengths lies in its ability to articulate national ambitions, local realities, and close ties with businesses. This position represents a unique opportunity to align initial training with the skills needs that emerge throughout professional careers.

It is with this in mind that ESTP will launch a revamped ESTP Executive Education program in the coming months. Designed for professionals seeking to deepen their expertise, develop new skills, or support a career transition, it will also address the needs of organizations facing technological, environmental, and industrial shifts. Beyond education, ESTP aims to become a long-term partner for companies that want to anticipate evolving skills and support the development of their employees.

In order to strengthen synergies between the different activities of the School, the teams and learners of continuing education, currently based in Paris, will join dedicated spaces on the Cachan campus from 2027.

The Academic Directorate comprises nearly one hundred academic and administrative staff members spread across the various campuses and programs of ESTP. Its mission is to guarantee the coherence and quality of the educational offerings while preparing current and future professionals to design, build, and transform the built environment. Through this new Directorate, ESTP reaffirms its commitment to supporting students throughout their academic journey and professional lives, remaining closely attuned to the evolving needs of professions, businesses, and society.