Cyril Bartolo, laureate of the 2022 Entente Cordiale for the Climate scholarship

Cyril is one of the 5 laureates of the 2022 Entente Cordiale for the Climate scholarship. He is currently studying for a Master's degree in Renewable Energy System Technology at the University of Loughborough.

I did my first two years at Arts et Métiers (Angers campus), a generalist engineering school which trains mainly in mechanical, industrial and energy engineering. Passionate about energies for a long time, I decided to specialize in renewable energies for my last year and I left to do a master of science in Renewable Energy System Technology at the University of Loughborough. The British Council Entente Cordiale scholarship has been invaluable to me. Studying in the United Kingdom is expensive, especially since Brexit, and the financial aspect can really be a hindrance to the full development of a student who may end up giving up his wish, or go into debt and feel less free during his studies.

I consider this scholarship as a reward for my journey, a recognition of my commitments. I have always had to make efforts to engage in the energy, ecological and solidarity transition on a daily basis, whether in the choice of unconventional academic projects in my school, or by finding internships and courses related to these questions.

My strongest commitments in the field of climate change have been as a volunteer in extra curricular projects. For example, I initiated the creation of the CSR center in my school, with a revamped well-being axis and an environmental axis that had not existed until then. In addition, I coordinated the organization of the COP3 Étudiante, a national event over three days which took place in March 2023 in Angers to raise awareness among young people (and not so young) about sustainable development. Given my commitment in this field, the fact that an institution as renowned as the British Council encourages students to engage both academically and civic-mindedly for the climate means a lot to me.

I plan to work in energy transition consulting and, more generally, ecological, with the aim of supporting different structures, such as companies or communities, to meet these increasingly vital challenges for our societies. At the same time, I will continue to engage in community life to raise awareness of the challenges of ecological and social transition and mobilize citizens to create links between people and so that everyone can act in their own way. There are so many things to learn, so many opportunities to seize, so many talents to reveal, it would be a shame to miss it!