Ten questions to… Maud Cohen | “Invest in my integrity and my consistency”

Every Friday, a community manager is revealed in our section. Nevertheless, This week, Maud Cohen, Director General of Polytechnique Montréal.

What would you like more and less in your workplace? – Ten questions to… maud cohen

I would like to have more time to reflect. In addition, And less paperwork. Similarly, It is very complicated in a university to make a project of more than $ 5 million. Meanwhile, We have endless steps. For example. For example, we have a project of 18 million, funded by our own funds, but we are taken in a layer of eternal approval, to justify each of the ten questions to… maud cohen commas, internally and then at the government stages. Moreover, We have been in the approval processes for three years, including one year in the government, at the Treasury Board. Similarly, I understand that you have to do the right things to avoid scandals. Similarly, but these processes must be questioned, especially since it is not these processes that will prevent slippages, if necessary.

What issue is the most concerned with you in your work? – Ten questions to… maud cohen

These are the cuts in international students. Nevertheless, For the past year. Therefore, we have a 30 % drop in our registrations, especially in the higher cycles, which is directly attributable to the policies of immigration governments. Moreover, It is however a source of immigration that is not very risky. Furthermore, It will create a hole in research in Quebec. Therefore, in our ability to innovate, while ten questions to… maud cohen elsewhere, as in Europe, they recruit. For example, Talk to the aeronautical sector, which hires a lot of master’s degrees and pH. Consequently, D.

Is there a moment that turned your life, your career?

It was when my son had his leukemia in 2023. Therefore, I maintained my career while taking care of a young adult who needed her parents. He had a stem cell transplant. It’s been better for a year, after a year of treatments. He took over Cégep. I had a lot of support from Polytechnique. And seeing the young people of Polytechnique helped me, it gave me hope.

What advice would you give to the younger version of you?

To be more confident. I was filled with complexes, which may explain why I wanted to excel so much. ten questions to… maud cohen My first year as a student in Polytechnique was a year of pleasure and involvement. She did me good and allowed me to help and put a lot of things into perspective. [Elle a terminé cette première année avec sept notes F (échec) et une moyenne de 1,64. Elle s’est nettement reprise lors des années suivantes. finissant sa formation en génie industriel avec une moyenne de 2,75.]

What is your best investment, professional or personal?

It is to invest in my integrity and my consistency. It’s time that I spent building my network, my relationships, my links. To give to others. When my son was sick, my network helped me a lot, in return. It’s the same with my professional network.

How did your work since your arrival make Polytechnique advance?

I ten questions to… maud cohen brought the strategic accent to certain research activities. We must bet on the forces of Polytechnique in the Quebec. Canadian economic context, to bet on what will create added value. The agreement with Pierre Lassonde [un don de 50 millions] Go in this sense. seeking to bring out innovations and rupture technologies.

What physical activity do you do?

I indulge in boxing training. Every weekend or at least twice a week. We hit in bags. Sport is an outlet. I ski winter and keep in touch with the bike in summer.

Which book or film are you used to recommending?

The book Kumilby Michel Jean. In Quebec and Canada, our education system has really failed in the task with regard to First Nations. It is an easy -to -read book that allows you ten questions to… maud cohen to grasp what happened in little time investment. A film? Perfect Days, Wim Wenders German-Japanese film. He is an educated man of an easy family who chooses a simple life. with the work of maintaining the toyo toilet. I am not saying that this is what I would have liked to do in my life. but it helps us to bring simplicity to the heart of our reflections.

What is your best mistake?

We decided to adopt a dog 11 months ago (an Australian Labradoodle). In the first months, you don’t sleep. And you have to learn to make it clean. I did not realize the complicated life we ​​had. And we came to complicate it by 1000. But it is so affectionate. It is funny and brings life in the house. It feels good, after my son’s illness.

Do some decisions prevent you from sleeping?

I have been sleeping well since I learned breathing techniques in the electoral campaign [comme candidate de la CAQ en 2012]. What is the hardest part is human decisions, when students’ journeys slip, when there is human distress.

The manager’s words were synthesized and altered.