Ten years after having left IFP School with her diploma in hand, Ang Zhang, a graduate of the Energy and Processes program (ENEP), returns to the School, but this time as a lecturer.
This is the opportunity for her to tell us more about her motivations.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
Originally from Kaifeng in China, I arrived in France in 2008 to pursue my studies in an exchange program between École Centrale de Paris (now CentraleSupélec) and my university in China. I obtained a double degree in General Engineering from École Centrale de Paris and a Master's degree in Mechanics from Beihang University.
Then, I joined the Energy and Processes program at IFP School, Class of 2012, sponsored by Axens to do a work-study program.
After graduation, I started my professional career at Axens, first as a Process Design Engineer and then as a Lead Process Engineer and Project Manager.
As part of my job, I was in charge of projects designing refining units, in the field of gasoline hydrodesulfurization FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking), heterogeneous oligomerization, etc.
What is it like for you to come back to IFP School? What motivated you to teach?
I have very fond memories of IFP School. My background was a bit atypical because I had not specialized in process engineering before joining IFP School. I really appreciated the applied training and the learnings I got at IFP School.
Today, I would like to leverage the knowledge I have acquired over the last ten years at Axens to contribute to the training of future generations of engineers.
I am looking forward to meeting the new Class of 2023 and rediscovering the open, multicultural atmosphere that I experienced as a student.
What is the scope of your new mission?
I teach responsible refining processes for the Energy and Processes and the Processes and Polymers programs.
My syllabus offers an introduction to refining and covers the physical and chemical properties of refining, as well as the use of simulation tools such as Proll.
I will also tutor ten or so Axens apprentices throughout their studies at IFP School. I will help them define their learning objectives with their company and prepare for the tests.
Interview conducted by Meyling Siu