On July 7, Jean-Yves Roux, Consul General of France in Wuhan, and Marc Daumas, Higher Education, Research and Innovation Counsellor of the French Embassy in China, visited HUST. Professor Gao Liang, Vice President of HUST attended the meeting. The two sides exchanged views on promoting exchanges between China and France and strengthening practical cooperation in various fields. Officers from the Office of International Affairs of HUST accompanied the visit.
At ICARE, the delegation visited the exhibition of the institute's achievements. Dr. Zou Mingqing, vice dean of ICARE, explained in detail the development roadmap and highlights of ICARE in the past ten years from the aspects of talent training, scientific research cooperation and international exchange. During the discussion session, Professor Gao Liang welcomed the delegation’s visit on behalf of HUST. He pointed out that the French higher education system enjoys a profound history and legacy, and has been a world-leading pioneer of elite engineer education. HUST places significant value on collaborating and exchanging with France. The partnership between the two sides has a rich history, offering a diverse range of opportunities and unique characteristics. Looking forward, HUST are committed to further strengthen collaboration and exchange with French partners, promoting the integration of industry, university and research. This will help to enhance the quality of Sino-French higher education and increase its global influence.
Marc Daumas fully affirmed the progress and achievements made by HUST in education collaboration, high-level joint training and scientific research and innovation cooperation. He pointed out that 2024 will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and the French Embassy in China has planned a series of exchange activities. The two sides can take this opportunity to further implement the concept of integrating science and education in key areas of common concern, such as clean energy, carbon neutrality, climate change and the aging population, promote the reform of the innovative personnel training system, and provide more solutions to better meet global challenges. The French Embassy in China plans to continue supporting and providing necessary assistance to promote innovation cooperation and strengthen friendly exchanges between the two countries in education, science, technology, and people-to-people relations.
Ms. Wan Tian, manager of the European and African Affairs Division of the International Affairs Office, introduced the general situation and highlights of the exchange and cooperation between HUST and France. Then she further put forward future cooperation initiatives with France. The participants discussed the construction of the Junshan International Campus, the development plan of ICARE, and the Sino-French research personnel exchange program.
After the discussion session, the delegation took a tour of the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics and the College of Life Science and Technology. All parties agreed to establish a stronger, more stable, and more dynamic partnership of education cooperation between China and France. They also aim to create an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial cooperation pattern and maintain the tradition of friendly cooperation between the two countries through concrete actions. Additionally, they plan to continually infuse new energy into the development of science and education between China and France.
