On October 18, the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition titled "Le Monde Sans Fin," part of the Wuhan stop for the 11th China-France Environmental Month series, was held at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). The event was jointly organized by ICARE and the Consulate General of France in Wuhan. Attendees included Laurent Cuénoud, Deputy Consul of France in Wuhan, Maxime Feraille, Scientific Attaché, and Professor Luo Xiaobing, Chinese Dean of ICARE. Dr. Zou Mingqing, Deputy Dean of ICARE, chaired the event.
Professor Luo Xiaobing welcomed the deputy consul and his delegation on behalf of ICARE. In his remarks, he emphasized that ICARE is the first major cooperative project between the Chinese government and the European Commission in the field of engineering education. Over the past decade, ICARE has achieved significant results through practical cooperation with French universities, producing over a thousand graduates who have contributed to the energy sectors in both China and France. These graduates have become key players in fostering stronger Sino-French relations. Looking ahead, the institute aims to deepen its cooperation with French universities and research institutions to tackle global environmental and developmental challenges and build a sustainable future for all.
Laurent Cuénoud introduced the objectives of the China-France Environmental Month and the "Le Monde Sans Fin" photo exhibition. He noted that the purpose of the event is to raise public awareness about the challenges of ecological transition and to promote a better understanding of the global environmental issues we face. By enhancing cooperation in these areas, we can find solutions together. The exhibition, based on the comic book "Le Monde Sans Fin," uses humor and engaging visuals to explore the relationship between energy and climate. Cuénoud expressed his hope that more faculty and students would visit this important and thought-provoking exhibition to reflect on the pressing challenges humanity faces in the 21st century.
Maxime Feraille, the Scientific Attaché at the Consulate General of France in Wuhan, provided a guided tour of the exhibition, focusing on the themes of energy and climate. He engaged faculty and students in discussions about the causes and consequences of climate change and explored ways to promote harmonious development between humans and nature in the face of environmental challenges.
Following the exhibition, the consulate delegation visited the National Key Laboratory on Coal Combustion and Low-Carbon Utilization at HUST. Professors Hu Song, Associate Professor Li Xiaoshan, and Dr. Wu Xin introduced key research projects, including the solid waste chemical looping combustion system, the coal-fired CO2 capture system, the 300 kWth supercritical CO2 power cycle and coal-fired boiler system, and the intelligent flexible combustion system for coal-fired power units. These innovations demonstrate HUST’s proactive role in addressing the nation's strategic needs and its leadership in advancing global environmental and low-carbon technology solutions.
Established in 2014 by the French Embassy in China, China-France Environmental Month brings together interdisciplinary activities centered on environmental protection. It has since become a signature platform for showcasing Sino-French cooperation. This year, the theme of the 11th China-France Environmental Month is "Tous sous le même ciel" ("Under the Same Sky"), with a series of engaging events focused on cultural and natural heritage, social and technological progress, energy, and climate being held across the country.
