Combining studies at EPFL with ambitious projects
© 2025 EPFL / SPE
As a former member of MAKE projects (Rocket Team and Xplore), a Laidlaw Scholar, and Vice President of the EPFL Sustainable Innovation Challenge, Cyril Barthelet, a Bachelor’s student in Mechanical Engineering, is no stranger to extracurricular activities. As the first edition of SIC took place on 13-14 March 2025 on campus, we caught up with him to find out how he manages to juggle so many commitments.
Featuring conferences and workshops, the EPFL Sustainable Innovation Challenge (SIC) brought together student teams from across Europe—including some from the Laidlaw network—to tackle real-world sustainability challenges and pitch their ideas to a jury of professionals from this field. The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Program, led by EPFL’s Education Outreach Department (SPE) and supported by the Laidlaw Foundation, aims to develop a new generation of responsible researchers, equipping them to lead innovative and socially engaged projects.
“I’ve always been very active and the Laidlaw program gave me the mindset to take risks and seize opportunities. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zone. When a friend told me about the project in 2024, I immediately wanted to get involved! Sustainability is a cause close to my heart, and this challenge is a unique opportunity to strengthen connections between students, academia and industry.”
The key? A lot of motivation—but above all, communication and surrounding yourself with people you can count on to move things forward.
For Cyril, there’s no doubt—despite the long hours, he would do it all over again. These projects have enriched his academic journey and given it real purpose. How does he manage so many projects at the same time? "The key? A lot of motivation—but above all, communication and surrounding yourself with people you can count on to move things forward."
Any advice for future students? “Don’t be afraid of failure! Take the leap, find a project you’re truly passionate about, and commit to it fully. What matters most is making an impact and contributing to the community. Join an initiative—or even start one. At EPFL, opportunities are everywhere!”