Fortuné Bayoua, Technical Lead PIDS & Field Operations Manager at FEBUS Optics in Pau, France

Originally from Congo, Fortuné Bayoua earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Marien Ngouabi University (UMNG) in Brazzaville, Congo. He then prepared a Campus France application to join a French university. In September 2017, he enrolled in the third year of the Physics degree at UPPA and then pursued a Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering (M1-M2).

Can you tell us about your background?

I have always been passionate about science, especially physics. After earning a “Bac C” (equivalent to the French science Bac), I enrolled in a Physics Bachelor's program in Congo. I really enjoyed the courses, whether it was fluid mechanics, heat transfer, or wave propagation… Since Congo is an oil-producing country, I decided to train in this field with the idea of pursuing an international career. In my third year, I completed a Campus France application. I was interested in two programs: Geophysics in Strasbourg and Petroleum Engineering in Pau… UPPA accepted my application, and I arrived in Pau on September 5, 2017. It was the first time I had left Congo and my family. But I had a clear plan: to repeat the third year to better integrate and understand the French system, and then apply to the Petroleum Engineering Master's program (now called Geo-Energies M1-M2).

What memories do you have of your arrival at UPPA?

Even though it was early September, I found it cold! And that was just the beginning… Right after getting off the plane, I went to the CROUS office to move into my student housing. Then I had to find the right bus… From the very first classes, I was impressed by the quality of teaching and the closeness of the professors, who really supported me throughout those three years and helped me realize my goals. Even eight years later, I still keep in touch with some of them and thank them for making my integration easier. I encountered a lot of kindness at UPPA.

Why did you choose the Petroleum Engineering Master's at UPPA?

I had heard about this program back in Congo; it is well-regarded by oil companies. The Complex Fluids and their Reservoirs Laboratory (LFCR), which is affiliated with UPPA and the CNRS, attracts many researchers. The TotalEnergies Technical Centre (CSTJF) also puts the city on the map, as employees from TotalEnergies Congo regularly come to Pau for training sessions.
Beyond petroleum engineering, what interested me in this program was its engineering aspect, which is applicable in many fields. I also appreciated the growing emphasis on environmental concerns in the curriculum. So much so that the program was renamed Geo-Energies (M1-M2) to better address societal challenges and industry expectations.

After graduating, how did your professional integration go?

At the end of my second year of the Master's, I did a six-month internship at a then-start-up called FEBUS Optics, located in Hélioparc (Pau), which monitors industrial installations and infrastructures. The internship focused on setting up a pipeline test bench to evaluate a solution for detecting fluid leaks using distributed optical fiber sensing and automatically alerting the operator to minimize environmental impact. During the internship, I also had the opportunity to contribute to several projects for large corporations. This experience opened my eyes to environmental challenges, bridging what I had learned in academia with the emerging concerns of industry. At the end of the internship, FEBUS Optics offered me a permanent contract as an Applications Engineer—right in the middle of the Covid period. It was a great opportunity to modestly contribute to the development of innovative solutions. I didn’t hesitate. Today, FEBUS Optics has over fifty employees, and I’m now Field Operations Manager, working on projects in France and abroad.

Two or three words you would spontaneously associate with UPPA?

Excellence in teaching – Close relationship with faculty – Multicultural university

Any advice for international students?

Before leaving your country, your family, your friends… to study abroad, you need to clearly define your academic and career plans and understand the sacrifices involved. To put all chances on your side, you need a coherent career plan, a realistic understanding of the path ahead while being far from your loved ones, and be serious and hardworking. And it works!

Interview by Florence Elman

Want to know more?

Bachelor's in Physics   Master's in Geo-Energies