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ARMINES
is a non-profit making organisation, that seeks primarily to create a
research capacity genuinely tailored to corporate requirements, in tune
with the realities of industry and flexible enough to adapt continuously
to the demands of the market place. The activities of ARMINES are accordingly
geared to a number of basic considerations, which include :
- acting
as an effective go-between linking research bodies and the world of
industry, by carrying out surveys and goal-oriented research in collaboration
with them. With over 2500 research contracts to its credit ARMINES's
turnover, which stood at 228 millions FF (in 1998) is accounted for
mainly by work having a practical industrial aim.
- training
personnel by means of goal-oriented research projects who will subsequently
promote the application of research findings within the field of industry.
- providing
a framework for the continuing education of engineering and industrial
managers.
The
association currently acts as the industrial interface serving the six
Ecoles des Mines placed under the control of the Ministry of Industry,
in Paris, Douai, Alès, Saint-Etienne, Nantes and Albi, and those
teaching establishments falling within the authority of the Ministry of
Defence, namely the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Techniques Avancées,
Ecole Polytechnique, and the Ecoles Militaires de Coëtquidan. ARMINES
rules the contracts of the 80 centers of research located in these up-introduced
establishments. These centers cover different fields of research especially
in the following areas : Mathematics, computer science, automation (15,1%),
Materials (32,7%), Organic & industrial engineering (13,1%), Earth
sciences, mining, environment (21,5%), Economic & social sciences
(8,7%) and Energetics, heat science (8,9%).
ARMINES
directly employs more than 500 people which are involved in the current
work of the centres of the Schools mentionned here above.
While stepping up its potential in the areas of research and application
(since its foundation, the association has filed over 300 patents), ARMINES
is currently placing increased emphasis upon cross-border cooperation.
Along
with other centres involved in research and technology transfer, it has
become involved in setting up exchange networks, especially in the shape
of trans-European partnerships, with a view to the joint implementation
of complex contracts. ARMINES' R&TD Centres are involved in more than
140 on-going contracts with the European Commission, and is the coordinator
of nearly ¼ of them.
Moreover, ARMINES' R&TD Centres are involved in more than 30 new contracts
co-funded by the EC in the framework of the new FP5.
In
addition, following the creation in 1984 of a subsidiary, Transvalor,
a limited company specialised in the application of research and in technology
transfer, it is in a position to offer companies a wide range of services
and know-how as regards dialogue and contacts between industry and research,
as well as in the transfer of results to the industrial sphere.
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