Arts et Metiers ParisTech has a permanent Representative in the United States

SAN FRANCISCO, May, 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Arts et Metiers ParisTech and PRIME (the U.S. office of the Paris Region Economic Development Agency) is delighted to announce the coming of their first permanent representative in the United States.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/SF13084)

Based in San Francisco, Rizlene has shared PRIME's office since early 2012.

Partnerships of Excellence
Rizlene will ensure a permanent link between Arts et Metiers ParisTech, its prospects and current partner universities (MIT, Georgia Institute of Technology, UC Berkeley). The objectives of Arts et Metiers ParisTech in the United States over the next 4 years are to send 200 students in the U.S. each year; 100 in MSc programs in the top universities, and to create 100 internship programs. "International partnerships are important to our school. We are looking forward to hosting American students in our Master's program," said Jean Marie Castelain, Deputy General Director in charge of International Affairs at Arts et Metiers ParisTech.

PRIME, which aims to promote the Paris region's research excellence and to foster partnerships, fully supports Arts et Metiers ParisTech in its mission. "Technology and researchers exchange are essential to the promotion of the Paris Region. I am thrilled that PRIME is taking part in this by working in tandem with Arts et Metiers ParisTech," said Xavier Wartelle, General Manager of Paris Region International Mission Enterprise (PRIME).

Highly Qualified Internships
Rizlene promotes Arts et Metiers ParisTech's graduate programs in the U.S in order to attract high level students. She helps Arts et Metiers ParisTech students get international experience in U.S companies through the Shasta Internship program, launched two years ago by AFAM (American Friends of Arts et Metiers ParisTech). The students can also benefit from the business network of PRIME.

"The AFAM was created to help enhance Arts et Metiers ParisTech's opportunity to create and strengthen academic relations with peer institutions in the US. I am delighted to welcome Rizlene in her critical mission of promoting Arts et Metiers ParisTech in the U.S.," said Eric Benhamou, President of American Friends of Arts et Metiers ParisTech (AFAM).

About Arts et Metiers ParisTech
Arts et Metiers ParisTech is one of France's leading engineering schools, with an enrollment of 5,000 students over its 11 campuses. Founded in 1780, it is the first French Graduate School in the fields of mechanics and industrialization, with a current alumni network of 30,000 members. Its 400 school members are recognized as intellectual leaders in their fields of expertise, which justify the school's reputation for high-level technological education and research. As well, Arts et Metiers ParisTech is one of the ParisTech consortium's 12 founding members, through which it participates in the IDEA league, a network of 5 of the best engineering universities in Europe. http://www.ensam.fr/en/

About AFAM (American Friends of Arts et Metiers ParisTech)
The mission of AFAM is to develop the brand image of Arts et Metiers ParisTech in the United States, and to help enhance the school's opportunities to create and strengthen relations with peer institutions in the U.S.  http://www.americanfriendsam.org/

About PRIME, Inc.
PRIME (Paris Region International Mission Enterprise) promotes the capabilities and technologies of Paris Region world-class research institutes and helps form partnerships with organizations and corporations in the U.S. Partnering with PRIME helps American companies bring innovative products and services in which they can market faster. PRIME accomplishes this by connecting them with world-class scientists and labs in the Paris Region, as well as streamlining access to available funding for R&D projects. PRIME is funded by the Paris Region Economic Development Agency and is headquartered in San Francisco, with an office in Boston. http://www.innovation-prime.com/

http://www.paris-region.com/index.jsp?LANGUE=1

About Benhamou Global Ventures
Benhamou Global Ventures, started in 2003, invests and plays an active role in innovative high tech firms throughout the world.

Eric Benhamou is CEO and Founder of this company. He also serves as Chair of American Friends of Arts et Metiers ParisTech (AFAM). http://benhamouglobalventures.com/

SOURCE Arts et Metiers ParisTech; PRIME