With its 14th FabLab in the Philippines, Icam has one of the largest networks of engineering FabLabs in the world

International
12 Oct 2023

Since September 2023, Icam and Ateneo de Manila University have been forging a close partnership: the Philippine university is hosting students from the Parcours Ouvert – now known as the Icam International Bachelor – as part of their cross-cultural training, which is taking place simultaneously in 6 countries (France, Cameroon, Brazil, Ecuador, India and the Philippines).

To meet the students’ need for experimentation, a FabLab has been set up in Manila. It was inaugurated on 27 September in the presence of the French ambassador, Marie Fontanel. The new laboratory is Icam’s 14th, making its network one of the largest – if not the largest – engineering FabLab network in the world.

This network stands out not only because it shares fundamental values, but also because it uses the same digital fabrication tools,” explains Rémy Ducros, who is leading the creation of these establishments within the Icam collective. Thanks to this uniformity, it becomes easy to collaborate with other FabLabs around the world, by sending digital files to complete projects, while using local resources.”

The Manila FabLab is not just a space for sharing and technical collaboration; it is also, and above all, an educational tool, enabling students to learn while making equipment as part of their apprenticeships. It’s an approach that promotes the worldwide dissemination of Icam’s teaching tools.

Open to all

Like all Icam FabLabs, this space is open to all: students, teachers and Ateneo researchers. Programmes will be organised over the coming months to publicise the space and give everyone the chance to try out the machines on offer. It is also connected to a vast global network of 30 FabLabs, which further enhances collaboration and the sharing of experience.

The opening of this 14th Icam FabLab marks an important step in the development of the network of engineering FabLabs. By promoting the dissemination of knowledge, mutual support and innovation, they are helping to train a new generation of engineers ready to meet the technological and societal challenges of tomorrow.