PSL University and Rice University strengthen their collaboration with the creation of an international programme in responsible engineering

PSL University and Rice University share a multidisciplinary approach in the fields of science, arts and humanities, and the excellence of their undergraduate programmes. 

Both are research-intensive universities ranked among the top fifty in the world, and they have devoted the first year of their partnership to developing scientific synergies around common and crucial themes: energy, climate, quantum and computational technologies, health, and more.

This amendment to the framework agreement now strengthens their collaboration on training around a shared ambition: to train graduates in engineering and research who are capable of combining scientific rigour, environmental responsibility and societal impact, echoing UNESCO's advocacy for responsible engineering. This is embodied in a new international programme at the heart of the International Bachelor of Environmentally Engaged Engineering (I-BE³), supported by the three engineering schools of PSL University and operated by Mines Paris-PSL.

Rice provides an exceptional ecosystem for observing and transforming energy practices, with major initiatives such as the Energy and Environment Initiative and the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
For its part, PSL University contributes through its unique scientific foundation, based on research conducted by Mines Paris - PSL, Chimie ParisTech - PSL and ESPCI Paris - PSL — in the fields of energy, sustainable processes, environmental modelling, data science and materials for transition.
By extending their collaboration, the two institutions aim to offer Bachelor I-BE³ students who choose this path with Rice University a dual-focus programme: understanding the transitions at the heart of existing systems (Rice) and designing disruptive and sustainable innovation solutions (PSL). This transatlantic dialogue between research, education and the field fully embodies their commitment to responsible and global engineering. 

Specifically, 10 to 15% of students recruited in 2026 to PSL or Rice in their first year will be able to join the international programme in their third year. Welcomed on the Rice campuses in Houston and Paris and on the PSL campuses in Sophia Antipolis and Paris, they will obtain both the French Bachelor's degree in science and engineering and the Bachelor of Environmental Science from Rice University.

"Launching an international bachelor's degree programme with Rice University reflects our university's desire to contribute to the transformation of energy systems, right down to their modes of production. This programme will immerse our students — from Sophia Antipolis to Houston, via Paris — in the heart of real transitions, bringing them face to face with industrial, technological and social challenges where change is most needed. " E.M. Mouhoud, President of PSL University

"The partnership between Rice and PSL University reflects our shared commitment to excellence, discovery and the global exchange of ideas. This new programme broadens the possibilities for our students, offering them the opportunity to study alongside their peers from one of the world's most prestigious universities, while earning credits towards their Rice degree. It reinforces our ambition to educate students who will become leaders in an interconnected and ever-changing world." Reginald DesRoches - President of Rice University

"Engineering, science and technology are the driving force behind economic development and offer an inexhaustible source of progress for human civilisation. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals depends on strengthening engineering capabilities worldwide. I am honoured to be the patron of the first cohort of this ambitious and innovative bachelor's degree programme, which in many ways is a world first in taking into account the needs of future generations." Audrey AZOULAY, patron of the first cohort and Director-General of UNESCO

The signing ceremony by El Mouhoub Mouhoud, President of PSL University, and Reginald DesRoches, President of Rice University, took place in the library of Mines Paris – PSL, in the presence of Marc Mortureux, Vice President, General Council for the Economy (CGE), Meriem Bouamrane, Section Head at the Partnerships Department, UNESCO, Godefroy Beauvallet, Director General of Mines Paris – PSL, Vincent Croquette, Director General of ESPCI Paris - PSL, and Christian Lerminiaux, Director General of Chimie ParisTech - PSL.