Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Recipient, Steve Nouatin from Benin, Shares His Journey of Pursuing an Engineering Degree in Data Science at ENSAI, France

Hi! My name is Steve NOUATIN, and I come from Porto-Novo, the charming capital of Benin, located along the Gulf of Guinea. If you’ve never heard of it, you should know that Porto-Novo -- with its colorful markets, historic palaces, and vibrant cultural scene -- is truly worth a visit. “Benin, a World of Wonders” awaits you there!

Now that I’ve finished promoting my hometown, let’s get to the essentials. I am an engineer with a background in Statistics and Data Science. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the École Nationale d’Économie Appliquée et de Management (ENEAM) in Benin, an Engineer’s degree in Statistical Economics from the Institut Sous-régional de Statistique et d’Économie Appliquée (ISSEA) in Cameroon, and an Engineer’s degree in Data Science from the École Nationale de la Statistique et de l’Analyse de l’Information (ENSAI) in France.

Professionally, I specialise in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and MLOps. My experience spans developing predictive models, automating data pipelines, implementing DevOps best practices for ML, and building interactive applications across sectors such as energy, transport, finance, and health. I pursued advanced studies in this field because I am driven by the power of data to solve concrete problems -- I wanted the technical depth and practical skills needed to design robust, scalable AI solutions that deliver real impact across industries.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship to pursue an engineering degree at ENSAI. The scholarship covered a 24-month period (September 2020 – August 2022) and included a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,031, an additional monthly allowance of €150, and a monthly housing allowance of €115.

Beyond these stipends, the scholarship covered several other services: round-trip travel from my home country to France, health insurance, assistance with finding accommodation, and funding for cultural activities. As a recipient of this French government scholarship, preparing for an engineering degree at a public institution under the Ministry of Higher Education, I was also exempted from tuition fees. (The stipend levels I received applied to Master’s-level recipients and were scheduled to increase starting in the 2026 session; PhD recipients receive higher amounts.)

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

Before receiving the Eiffel scholarship, I was supported by the Benin national scholarship for three years during my Bachelor’s degree in Statistics at ENEAM. This government scholarship -- reserved for Beninese nationals -- covered tuition fees and provided an annual allowance of 381,000 FCFA.

Educational Background

In the francophone grading system, students are graded on a scale from 0 to 20, where 20 is the best. For my bachelor’s degree in Statistics at ENEAM in Benin, I earned a score of 15.45 / 20. When I applied for the Eiffel scholarship in 2019, I had just completed the first year of the Engineer program in Statistics and Economics at ISSEA in Cameroon with an average of 15.79 / 20.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to ENSAI?

How Did You Find Information About Eiffel Excellence Scholarships and ENSAI?

There is a formal double-degree partnership between the Groupe ENSAE-ENSAI and the Network of African Statistics Schools, of which ISSEA is a member. This institutional link made the pathway to ENSAI clearer. My knowledge of the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship came from my own online research; afterwards, ENSAI provided more detailed guidance about the application process and required documents, which was extremely helpful.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I did not take any standardized language tests (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT) as part of my application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?

I didn’t undertake any elaborate preparation. My main effort was to write a clear academic and professional project (a statement of purpose) in which I set out my motivations and showed how my past choices and my proposed training formed a coherent path toward my goals. I then compiled my CV and academic transcripts and sent them to ENSAI, which submitted my application.

How is (was) Your Experience at ENSAI? 

My time at ENSAI was thoroughly positive. The program offered high-quality training well aligned with labour-market needs, and courses were taught by a mix of research faculty and industry professionals -- which ensured a balanced emphasis on both theory and practice. Practical tutorials and lab sessions allowed us to apply concepts to concrete examples, making the material more engaging and easier to master.

Beyond academics, ENSAI has a lively student life with many sporting and associative activities, which contributed to a rich and well-rounded experience.

How Does ENSAI Support International Students?

ENSAI provided strong, practical support for international students well before and after arrival. Before I left Cameroon, the school helped me search for housing and assigned me a senior-student mentor to guide me through administrative procedures and answer everyday questions. On arrival, I was even greeted at the airport by the Director of International Relations and Humanities, who helped me settle in.

Throughout my studies, the ENSAI staff remained very responsive to student concerns, offering practical advice on daily life and available services. The school also organised orientation sessions and welcome events that made it easier to integrate socially and academically -- all of which created a welcoming and supportive environment for newcomers.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or French? 

Some courses in my program are taught in English, while the remainder are delivered in French. Additionally, ENSAI offers a fully English-taught program -- the Master's for Smart Data Science.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically, Not Knowing French?

Because many courses in the engineering curriculum are taught in French, it would be difficult for someone without a basic command of French to follow them well. Non-francophone international students at ENSAI pursuing the Engineer Statistician degree must demonstrate a minimum B2 level in French before graduation. To support this requirement, ENSAI offers them free French as a Foreign Language (FLE). Tandem linguistic exchanges (pairing international students with French students) are also available and provide a practical, social way to improve one’s French while meeting French students.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My main piece of advice for anyone applying to the Eiffel Scholarship is to start early -- especially when it comes to finding the university or school that will submit the application on your behalf. Begin by researching institutions and programs that fit your project, contact the international office or relevant department to confirm eligibility and support, and allow plenty of time to gather transcripts, recommendation letters, and a clear academic/professional project. Early preparation makes it much easier to meet deadlines, submit a polished, coherent application, and reduce last-minute stress.