From July 13 to 20, Professor Luo Xiaobing, Chinese Dean of ICARE, headed a delegation visiting partner universities in Greece, Italy and France. The two sides reached consensus on joint student training, research collaboration and teaching reform, injecting fresh momentum into China-Europe science and education cooperation.

Greece Stop: Discuss the Joint Master’s Programme and Expand Diverse Cooperation Horizons

At the National Technical University of Athens, the delegation held in-depth talks with officials from the International Affairs Office, the School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, together with partner professors including Dimitrios Bouris and Vasileios Riziotis. The discussion prioritized the preparation of the Joint Master’s Programme in Engineering for Renewable Energy Sources and Sustainability. Consensus was also reached on industry-education integration, the co-construction of joint laboratories and applications for Erasmus+ projects. Following the meeting, the delegation toured laboratories including the Steam Boiler and Thermal Installation Laboratory and the Applied Thermodynamics Laboratory.

Italy Stop: Focus on Energy Frontiers and Advance the Implementation of Joint Master’s Training

At Politecnico di Torino, the delegation held discussions with Alberto Sapora, Vice Rector for International Affairs, Alessandro Vigliani, Director of the China Centre (Engineering), and the programme coordinator from the Department of Energy. The parties agreed in principle on the framework for the double degree master’s programme, identifying credit recognition, joint teaching and two-way student mobility as core implementation pathways. Accompanied by Professor Massimo Santarelli, the delegation visited the Torino Environment Park and toured a cluster of energy-transition laboratories specializing in hydrogen energy, carbon capture, batteries and super capacitors, gaining insights into Europe’s cutting-edge energy research.

At the University of Padova, Prof. Luo Xiaobing attended the inaugural STIMA International Summer School and delivered an academic presentation in the field of thermal management. He then held discussions with the team led by Professor Fabrizio Dughiero, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering. The two sides reached a preliminary consensus on the double degree master’s programme and formulated a follow-up work plan. The delegation also visited several key laboratories, including those for micropumps and thermal management, solar energy, and acoustic measurement.

France Stop: Focus on Teaching Reform and Discuss Innovations in Engineer Training

In France, the delegation held discussions with partner professors from Mines Paris-PSL, Chimie ParisTech-PSL and Télécom Paris-PSL. Focusing on the optimization of modelling courses, the integration of AI into teaching and the upgrading of hydrogen energy modules, both sides identified priorities for the next phase of teaching reform and collaborative engineer training.

This visit yielded tangible outcomes. ICARE will continue to deepen its cooperation with European partners and strive to build a new high-quality, efficient ecosystem for China-Europe science and education collaboration.