As of October 1, 2020, Thierry Midavaine takes over the position of Head of Continuing Education at the Institut d'Optique Graduate School.
Originally a chemical engineer, Thierry Midavaine has made a career as a research and development engineer in several fields of optics and photonics: infrared lasers, guidance systems, application of lasers for the development of lidars and rangefinders. His industrial roots, particularly in the space industry and civil and military transport, have led him to strategic and financial functions in optronics innovation.
He is well acquainted with the challenges of photonics in industrial companies, and will also use his experience as a teacher in engineering schools (initial and continuing education) in these new functions.
For him, "the challenge of continuing education at large is to further the transmission of industrial know-how to people who need to be trained throughout their professional life. The fabric of schools that train brilliant engineers must enable them to continue to enrich their skills. At the Institut d'Optique, we offer the theoretical knowledge and optro-electronic skills expected by both start-ups and major industrial groups. Military, space and civil optronics is an industrial activity in which France is a pioneer and must be able to maintain its leadership".