From October 15 to 21, Emmanuel Duflos, Director General of the EPF and Eugenia Llamas, Director of International Development, traveled to China to strengthen strategic partnerships with several higher education establishments and institutions. From the Anglo-Chinese Institute of Chengdu University, to the School of Computer Science and Engineering of Sichuan Tourism University, to the exchange center of the Ministry of Education in Beijing via Tianjin University, return to a visit marked by the signing of an exchange agreement and prospects for strengthened cooperation
Strategic exchanges to strengthen collaborations with China
Accompanied by Pierre Jiang, in charge of the Franco-Chinese programs at the EPF, Emmanuel Duflos and Eugenia Llamas traveled to China for a series of strategic meetings. The objective of this mission was to consolidate relations with several Chinese establishments and to evaluate joint educational projects.
Among the institutions visited were the Anglo-Chinese Institute of Chengdu University (CDU), the School of Computer Science and Engineering of Sichuan Tourism University (SCTU), the exchange center of Sichuan province, the exchange center of the Ministry of Education in Beijing and Tianjin University (TJU).
A strengthened partnership with the SCTU, including a new exchange agreement
At the SCTU School of Computer Science and Engineering, the delegation evaluated the “4+0” program, a joint initiative that allows Chinese students to follow a complete course in electrical engineering and building intelligence while benefiting from the academic resources of the EPF. This exchange aims to train engineers with international expertise, in line with the specific needs of the Chinese market.
On the occasion of this visit, a new exchange agreement was signed with the SCTU. This agreement now allows students enrolled in the joint program, as well as other SCTU students, to come and carry out an academic exchange in France.
An awards ceremony also distinguished three students from the current promotions, in the presence of the Consul General of France in Chengdu, Guillaume Delavallée.
Opening new opportunities with institutions in Sichuan province
The delegation had the opportunity to meet local government representatives, responsible for international relations at the Sichuan provincial exchange center. This meeting made it possible to identify the province’s priorities in terms of education and innovation and to open avenues for collaboration, particularly in the fields of engineering and digital technologies.
Strengthening ties with Beijing and Tianjin
The visit to Beijing, to the exchange center of the Ministry of Education, made it possible to strengthen contacts with the Chinese educational authorities. Discussions focused on developing collaborations around engineering programs, academic mobility and research projects.
Finally, at Tianjin University (TJU), the ETH delegation participated in the 10th anniversary of the International Engineering Institute (TIEI). This event also celebrated a decade of international cooperation and to highlight the successes of the institute. The discussions focused on the development of new joint programs, particularly in sustainable engineering and new technologies. The meeting with the six EPF students in semester training at TIEI, in the fields of architecture, data and IT, was also a highlight of the visit.
Towards strengthened cooperation between China and the EPF
This mission made it possible to consolidate relations between the EPF and several Chinese institutions, in particular through the exchange agreement with the SCTU and the prospects for increased cooperation in the fields of research and academic exchanges.. In the coming months, the EPF plans to continue and deepen these collaborations to support new engineering education and research projects.
