As part of the first student collaboration between ESILV and the city of Freudenstadt, Ibrahim Almountaka Sambare, class of 2026, is completing a four-month internship in Germany, focusing on industrial cybersecurity and digital trust in industrial networks.
This cooperation marks a new stage in Franco-German academic collaboration, bridging engineering education and applied research in digital and industrial innovation.
Read the article at the Campus Schwarzwald website
ESILV x Campus Schwarzwald: A Cross-Border Academic Cooperation
The partnership between the twin cities of Courbevoie and Freudenstadt has led to the launch of a new academic collaboration between ESILV and the Black Forest Campus in Freudenstadt, Germany.
Ibrahim Almountaka Sambare, a 22-year-old student in the Industry and Robotics major with a specialization in Aerospace & Defense, is the first participant in this program.
Welcomed by Mayor Adrian Sonder, the initiative follows his official visit to Courbevoie in September of the previous year, supported jointly with Courbevoie’s mayor Jacques Kossowski.
Engineering Practice in a Real-world Environment
Ibrahim is currently working as an Industrial Cybersecurity Intern at Campus Schwarzwald in Freudenstadt. His project is carried out within the Trustpoint team and supervised by Florian Handke, Head of Industrial Security.
His tasks include:
- Developing a low-code solution for secure digital certificate management for industrial equipment
- Gaining hands-on experience with cybersecurity protocols such as certificate enrollment via EST and mutual TLS (mTLS) integration
- Contributing to the strengthening of institutional ties between Freudenstadt and Courbevoie through this technical collaboration
Professional Integration and Campus Life
Beyond the internship itself, Ibrahim has successfully integrated into campus life and the local community.
He participates in activities such as football with a local club in Dietersweiler and appreciates the collaborative work environment on site.
“The atmosphere on campus is excellent. The team spirit is strong, and the working conditions are ideal. It’s also a great networking platform. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to meet professionals from several partner companies. The network I’m building here is truly valuable,” he said.
A Distinct Academic Journey
Originally from Niger, Ibrahim moved to France at the age of 17. Before joining ESILV, he studied at a top-tier university in Nice.
He is currently pursuing a CTI-accredited engineering degree with a focus on industrial systems, robotics, and defense technologies.
Stefan Bogenrieder, General Manager of the Black Forest Campus, noted the relevance of the cooperation:
“Thematic synergies between ESILV and our campus are clear. Both institutions are engaged in the fields of digitization, robotics, and cybersecurity. This collaboration supports scientific collaboration in both directions.”
Fabienne Janz, who coordinates the city’s twinning programs, emphasized the strong momentum generated by this first initiative and the commitment of both academic and civic actors.
ESILV’s Industry & Robotics Major
The Industry and Robotics major at ESILV is part of a CTI-accredited engineering programme conferring the grade of master.
This major prepares future engineers to design and optimise industrial systems by combining traditional manufacturing principles with the latest advances in digital technologies. The curriculum integrates key areas, including robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and industrial data processing.
With a strong focus on applied engineering and interdisciplinary learning, the programme equips graduates to contribute to the transformation of industry through innovation, efficiency, and digital integration.
