2026 Academic Year at GEM: 2,200 New Students Welcomed at Grenoble’s Ice Rink and City Hall
GEM welcomed 2,200 new students for the start of the 2026 academic year. On the programme: an Opening Ceremony at the Grenoble ice rink, followed by a reception at Grenoble City Hall.
For this new academic year, GEM chose to highlight elite sport and its strong roots in the Grenoble region. Two events marked the start of the year: one dedicated to performance and student life, the other to discovering a region recognised for its innovation and its commitment to the transitions.
Key facts about GEM's 2026 academic year
This year, 2,200 new students joined GEM. The Opening Ceremony, which welcomes each new intake, was held at the Grenoble ice rink around the theme of elite sport. Emily Harrop, a GEM graduate and double medallist at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, shared her journey with the students and with 20 of the School’s 30 student associations. A reception at Grenoble City Hall completed the start of the year.
The Opening Ceremony: a new academic year centred on sporting performance
The Opening Ceremony is the highlight that marks the arrival of new students at GEM. For the 2026 academic year, the School held it at the Grenoble ice rink, honouring several figures from Grenoble’s sporting world and the GEM community.
Students, associations, GEM teams and local stakeholders come together
The ceremony brought together the new students and 20 of the School’s 30 student associations, 20 of which are based in Grenoble and 10 in Paris.
GEM staff were also in attendance, including the Executive Committee (COMEX) and programme directors, as well as faculty members.
Institutional stakeholders and representatives of the Grenoble ecosystem also came to meet the future graduates.
Speeches: GEM’s leadership and Emily Harrop, double Olympic medallist
Fouziya Bouzerda, Director General of GEM, and Philippe Monin, Academic Director, opened the ceremony with their welcome speeches.
Emily Harrop then took the floor. A GEM graduate and double medallist at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, she spoke to the new students about her experience as an athlete and her academic journey at the School.
Figure skating and ice hockey on the programme
Maïa Mazzara, an elite figure skater, gave a performance on the ice for the new students. She is herself a Bachelor’s student at GEM’s Institut Sport & Management (ISM).
The Brûleurs de Loups, Grenoble’s ice hockey team and nine-time French champions, closed the ceremony with a show. The players came to share their expertise with the new students.
Studying while competing at the highest level: the role of the Institut Sport & Management
Maïa Mazzara’s journey reflects GEM’s commitment to elite athletes. Within the School, the Institut Sport & Management (ISM) supports athletes who wish to combine sporting excellence with academic excellence.
Every year, the ISM welcomes more than 200 elite athletes.
GEM's new students welcomed at Grenoble City Hall
In the second highlight of the start of the year, GEM’s new students had the honour of being welcomed at Grenoble City Hall. It was an opportunity to discover the city and the region where they will be studying.
Frequently asked questions about GEM’s 2026 academic year
2,200 new students joined GEM at the start of the 2026 academic year.
The welcome ceremony for the new intake took place at the Grenoble ice rink.
Fouziya Bouzerda, Director General of GEM, Philippe Monin, Academic Director, and Emily Harrop, GEM graduate and double Olympic medallist, addressed the audience. Figure skater Maïa Mazzara and the Brûleurs de Loups ice hockey team performed on the ice.
Yes. GEM’s Institut Sport & Management (ISM) welcomes more than 200 elite athletes every year who wish to pursue their sporting career alongside their studies.
