ENSICAEN

National Graduate School of Engineering of Caen

Research Center

Our history

ENSICAEN is the distant heir of the Institute of Applied Science (ISA) founded in 1911/1912 as part of the University of Caen. The division of the ISA engendered the Normandy Technical Institute (ITN) in 1914 and the Chemistry Institute of Caen (ICC) in 1922.

In 1960, the Normandy Technical Institute turned into Technical Institute of the University of Caen (ITUC) which became The National Graduate School of Electronics and Electromechanics of Caen (ENSEEC) in 1964. The transformation of the ICC happened in 1967 and the National Graduate School of Chemistry of Caen (ENSCC) was founded.

Both schools merged on 9th December 1976, to become the National Graduate School of Engineering : the Institute of Material Sciences and Radiation (ISMRA) constituting a Teaching and Research Unit. In March 1986, the ISMRA became a public establishment of an administrative nature (EPAC) associated with the University of Caen by an agreement. The EPCA status grants the institute a civil status and a financial autonomy. An agreement signed in 1987 sets the rules of cooperation between the School and the University of Caen. In 2002, the ISMRA changes its name and becomes ENSICAEN (National Graduate School of Engineering of Caen).

Since the 1st March 2017, ENSICAEN has been a Public scientific, cultural and professional oriented establishment (EPSCP), with an autonomous status, similar to any university, which is more adapted to the activities of ENSICAEN. It strengthens the role of research operator and it enables the establishment to be recognised as an actor in the field of Ph.D courses.