JFD – Join Forces & Dare – the international growth accelerator for women who are changing the world, and Epitech, the IONIS Group’s school of IT excellence, are joining forces to make education a major lever for transformation. Their shared ambition is to strengthen the position of women in Tech, and more particularly in the artificial intelligence professions, through concrete initiatives.
Education, diversity and innovation: a shared vision and a major challenge
The alliance between Epitech and JFD reflects a collective desire to work towards a future where education, diversity and innovation go hand in hand. By strengthening the presence of women in schools and businesses, the two partners are working to build a sustainable economy. As the European Institute for Gender Equality points out, improved parity could lead to a 9.6% increase in the EU’s GDP per capita, or around €3.15 trillion, and create 10.5 million extra jobs by 2050.
Laura Hassan, General Manager of Epitech, reaffirms this commitment: » As a pioneering school, we have a key role to play in making tech careers more inclusive and accessible. Education is an essential response to the challenges of diversity in tech. Our partnership with JFD reflects our commitment to encouraging more women to join Epitech’s programmes and to providing them with the tools they need to succeed in fast-changing fields. «
Epitech: a school committed to a more feminine Tech
In a field where women still represent only a minority, Epitech, which has just celebrated its 25th anniversary, is positioning itself as a key player in promoting the feminisation of technological careers. With a target of 30% female students by 2030, the school is deploying strategies to :
- Increase the number of female students in its programmes and curricula.
- Encourage them to specialise in cutting-edge technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and cyber security.
- Strengthen collaborations with key players, such as JFD, to give its female students professional and entrepreneurial opportunities in tech.
“Women rAIsing”: towards AI as a vector of progress for all
Epitech is making a commitment alongside JFD by joining its “Women rAIsing” programme, to create an ecosystem conducive to the emergence and development of female tech talents. As a strategic partner of the programme, Epitech will take part in the launch of the First European AI Barometer at the AI Action Summit in February. This barometer will analyse trends in the diversity and representation of women in the artificial intelligence ecosystem in Europe, while identifying levers to accelerate their inclusion. This is the kind of thinking that is needed to make AI a real driver for progress.
Delphine Remy-Boutang, founder & CEO JFD – Arver, concludes: » With this strategic alliance, Epitech and JFD are ushering in a new era in which education becomes a powerful tool for breaking down limiting thinking and enabling women to achieve their full potential in tech and artificial intelligence. «
Laura Hassan is Managing Director of Epitech, which she is guiding towards stronger leadership among IT schools in France and Europe. Passionate about pedagogical innovation and the impact of technology on education, she has been supporting schools and universities in their innovation strategies since 2017.
A doctoral student in management science, she has conducted research into the digital transformations of French universities. Since 2018, at the IONIS Group, she has steered the hybridisation of courses, the integration of collaborative digital tools and the involvement of businesses in project-based teaching. At the helm of Epitech alongside Philippe Jamet, Associate Managing Director, she is continuing this vision by cultivating entrepreneurship, establishing partnerships with major tech players and promoting inclusivity on campus.
