Thierry Coulhon, President of Institut Polytechnique de Paris, takes the helm of the EuroTech Universities Alliance
8 January 2026 | Brussels/Paris - On January 1st, 2026, Thierry Coulhon, President of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris), assumed the rotating presidency of the EuroTech Universities Alliance. He succeeds Koen Janssen, President of Eindhoven University of Technology, and will lead the Alliance during a pivotal year as it celebrates its 15th anniversary. École Polytechnique, founding member of IP Paris, joined EuroTech in 2018, and membership was extended to the wider IP Paris community in 2024.
The EuroTech Universities Alliance unites Europe’s most innovative and enterprising universities of science and technology: Technical University of Denmark (DTU), École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), IP Paris, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Technion (Israel Institute of Technology). Bound by a shared commitment to excellence, the partners conduct world-class research to address the grand societal and industrial challenges of our time, educating the brightest global talents to become the innovators and change agents of tomorrow.
Over the last 15 years, the Alliance has served as a catalyst for cross-border collaboration, delivering tangible impact through its flagship initiatives. Looking towards 2030, EuroTech is reinforcing its ambition to act as a cohesive force shaping the future of European science and technology. The partners are deepening their integration around key priorities: fostering synergies across research, innovation, infrastructures, and education; positioning themselves as trusted partners for policymakers by translating scientific excellence into actionable evidence; and connecting their innovation landscapes. By pooling collective strengths and critical resources and infrastructures, EuroTech contributes effectively to a more resilient and competitive Europe.
“I am delighted to take over from my counterpart at TU/e, Koen Janssen, as the Chair of the EuroTech Presidents’ Board in 2026. This is a milestone year for our alliance,” stated Thierry Coulhon. “With our sights set on 2030, we are not just cooperating, but integrating our efforts to support a strong, sustainable, and resilient European Research and Innovation system. Whether through joint research and pooled resources or science-based policy advice, it is now more than ever vital to reaffirm what Europe’s leading Universities of Science and Technology can achieve collectively.”
Press contacts:
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Christine Lascombe – presse@ip-paris.fr – +33 6 26 36 76 17
EuroTech Universities Alliance
Cristina Paca – cristina.paca@eurotech-universities.eu – +32 475 78 24 41
About Thierry Coulhon
Thierry Coulhon has served as IP Paris’ President since September 2023. A mathematician with extensive track record and leadership experience in higher education and research, both in France and internationally. He was President of University of Cergy-Pontoise (2004-2008), Director of the Mathematical Sciences Institute of the Australian National University in Canberra (2012-2015) and President of Paris Sciences et Lettres (2015-2017). He also served as Special Advisor, and later on as Deputy Director, to Valérie Pécresse, former Minister of Higher Education and Research (2008-2010), and Director of the "Centers of Excellence" programme at the Commissariat Général à l'Investissement (2010-2012). In 2017, he was appointed Education, Higher Education, Research and Innovation Advisor in the office of French President Emmanuel Macron (2017-2020). Prior to taking his position at IP Paris, Thierry Coulhon was the President of the Haut Conseil de l'évaluation de la recherche et de l'enseignement supérieur (Hcéres).
About Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris) is a public higher education and research institution that brings together six leading French engineering schools: École polytechnique, ENSTA, École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC), ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis. Together, these schools combine their expertise to offer excellent training and conduct top-level research.Thanks to this unique academic and scientific base, IP Paris is establishing itself as a major player in science and technology in France and internationally. www.ip-paris.fr
About EuroTech Universities Alliance
The EuroTech Universities Alliance is a strategic partnership of leading European universities of science and technology joining forces to build a strong, sustainable, sovereign, and resilient Europe. The partners bring their excellence in research and education, their active engagement in vibrant eco-systems and service to society. Together, they join forces to accelerate their research and science to policy advise, connecting ecosystems in high-tech focus areas from AI and robotics to semiconductors, photonics, quantum, energy systems, biotech and advanced materials. Based on the EuroTech values, the partners aspire to a new level of cooperation by bringing together their inclusive, diverse, and sustainable campuses. The EuroTech Universities create a unique environment for international talents to lead a new generation of change agents in research, entrepreneurship, industry, and society. www.eurotech-universities.eu