From June 9 to 11, Li Min, Chief of the International Campus led a delegation to France to promote international collaboration with French Universities. The delegation visited Université Paris-Saclay and ESTACA , met with Education Office of the Chinese Embassy in France, and held discussions with the Zhejiang University Alumni Association, further strengthening ties and advancing cooperation with French partners.
At Université Paris-Saclay, the delegation met with Delphine Placidi-Frot, Vice President for International Affairs, Professor Rachid Bennacer, Deputy Vice President for Research and Didier Clouteau, Board Member of CentraleSupélec and Chair of the Department of Mechanics, Energy and Process Engineering. Delphine Placidi-Frot reviewed the the collaboration between the two universities in student training and research in recent years, highlighting Zhejiang University as a key partner. Li Min briefed on the latest developments at Zhejiang University and International Campus, and proposed strengthening collaboration with a focus on joint programs and China-foreign cooperative education institutions (programs). The two sides held in-depth discussions on on potential models and priority areas for future cooperation.
At ESTACA, Li Min met with Philippe Guibert, Director of Education; Cherif Larouci, Director of Research; and other faculty representatives. Wang Gaofeng, Vice Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Zhejiang University, joined the meeting online to discuss joint master's and PhD programs, as well as potential collaboration on new master’s programs focused on the emerging low-altitude economy. During the visit, the delegation also toured ESTACA’s laboratories for intelligent safety and low-carbon transportation.
The delegation visited the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in France, met with officials in charge of educational exchanges and international student affairs. The delegation introduced the development of the International Campus and received the latest developments in Chinese-French education and research cooperation. Both sides held in-depth discussions on ways to promote bilateral university collaborations, advancing “Young Envoys Scholarship” initiative , and promoting cultural exchanges between Chinese and French youth through programs such as summer schools.
During the visit, the delegation met with representatives from the Zhejiang University Alumni Association and the Association des Commerçants de Wenzhou en France. Participants highlighted the shared cultural foundation between Zhejiang University’s “Qiushi Spirit” and the entrepreneurial “Four-Qian Spirit” of Zhejiang entrepreneurs.They highlighted the long-standing ties between alumni and the overseas Zhejiang business community. The three parties expressed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, promoting China-France cultural and people-to-people exchanges in future.
Representatives from relevant departments and insititues accompanied the visit.
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Université Paris-Saclay, a leading French public comprehensive university, is recognized as a top-tier research institution and a member of Initiatives d’Excellence. It comprises five faculties, three university institutes of technology, one university engineering school, four component-institutions, two member-associated universities, and seven research organizations. With strong capabilities in education and research, it accounts for 13% of France’s total research output. The current faculty includes 11 Fields Medalists in mathematics and 2 Nobel Laureates in Physics. In the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), the university ranked 12th globally.
ESTACA ,formerly known as ETACA, was founded in 1925. In 2012, it joined the ISAE Group, which brings together France’s leading aerospace engineering schools. ESTACA offers five-year engineering diploma, with specialized programs in five major: Aeronautical , automotive, space, railway and shipping. The school maintains close partnerships with major industry players such as Airbus, Dassault, and Safran.
Article: XUE Qian
Photography: XUE Qian
Translation: ZHAO Kaiyue
Editing: LI Songjiao
Editing in charge: LI Yinan
Reviewer: YANG Yi
Final Review: QU Haidong