Balancing a high-level sports career with demanding engineering studies may seem difficult, even out of reach. Yet some students successfully rise to the challenge. This is the case of Haitam, a student at ISEN Ouest and a high-level Taekwondo athlete, who is building an ambitious dual path combining athletic performance and engineering education.
A dual project shaped as early as high school
Even before graduating from high school, Haitam was already thinking about his future. Like many athletes, he feared that higher education would be incompatible with his training schedule and competitive goals. The workload, international travel, and academic requirements all seemed difficult to reconcile.
It was ultimately the high-level athlete status New window offered by ISEN Ouest that allowed him to move forward with confidence. By joining an institution that understands his constraints, Haitam realized he could pursue both ambitions simultaneously.
ISEN Ouest, a school committed to high-level athletes
ISEN Ouest holds the “high-level sports welcoming institution” label, ensuring structured and tailored support for student-athletes.
This program is based on several concrete commitments:
• A dedicated status for high-level athletes, recognized from admission
• Personalized support, provided by a coordinator in contact with sports staff
• Academic adjustments, taking into account training sessions, camps, and competitions
• A flexible timetable, adapted to sporting constraints
Students can submit their competition schedule at the beginning of the year, allowing the school to anticipate absences and adjust the academic pathway accordingly.
Daily, practical support
For Haitam, this support makes all the difference. When he takes part in international competitions, the school adapts to his schedule. Upon his return, lecturers provide personalized follow-up to help him catch up on key concepts.
This system is based on close collaboration between the student, the school, and sports staff, ensuring a high level of academic standards without compromising overall balance.
In addition, the program includes specific arrangements depending on the study cycle:
• curriculum adjustments
• the possibility to extend certain academic years
• adapted assessment methods
All of these measures help students maintain strong performance both academically and athletically.
An engineering program supporting his ambitions
Passionate about computer science and digital technologies from an early age, Haitam chose ISEN Ouest for its generalist approach to engineering. This allows him to build strong technical skills while staying connected to his sporting world.
His career plan perfectly illustrates this synergy: he aims to develop innovative electronic equipment for Taekwondo, such as connected helmets or protective gear—an evolving field where technology increasingly contributes to performance and refereeing.
An ultimate goal: the Olympic Games
Alongside his studies, Haitam is pursuing an ambitious goal: competing in the Los Angeles Olympic Games. This dream, built through years of training and competition, is fully integrated into his journey.
Thanks to the support system at ISEN Ouest, he can now actively work toward this objective without compromising his education.
Training engineers with unique paths
Haitam’s journey highlights ISEN Ouest’s ability to support dedicated and atypical profiles. By offering a structured, flexible, and demanding environment, the school enables its students to develop strong technical skills while pursuing their passions.
Beyond academic success, this type of pathway shapes engineers with essential qualities: rigor, organization, perseverance, and the ability to manage complex projects.
These are valuable assets both in the professional world and in high-level sports.
