On January 13th, the 11th Meeting of the Joint Management Committee of the Sino-French Institute at Renmin University of China (RUC) was held at the Suzhou Campus. The meeting discussed and deliberated on topics such as the addition of new undergraduate majors, the joint cultivation of master’s and doctoral students, the reform of French language teaching, the improvement of the operating mechanism of the Teaching Committee, the revision of the training program, and the revision of the cooperation agreement.

    Lin Shangli expressed that 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The China-France relationship, which has always adhered to the “China-France spirit,” featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight and win-win results, has achieved fruitful outcomes. It is hoped that the development blueprint jointly planned in Suzhou today will bear new fruits in the cooperation of higher education between China and France in the future.

    Guillaume FIQUET stated that RUC is an important partner of Sorbonne University in China and a model of Sino-French higher education cooperation. He also expressed the hope to further expand the cooperation areas with RUC.

    Antoine COPPOLANI expressed that Paul-Valéry University is actively promoting the cooperative education program for the major in Global Affairs Management currently. He looks forward to further expanding the cooperation to the postgraduate level, injecting new vitality into the sustainable development of the Sino-French Institute.

    Alexandre de NAVAILLES stated that the process of the Sino-French Institute from its establishment to its booming development not only vividly reflects the profound friendship between the two universities, but also highlights the firm belief and unremitting dedication of both sides to international educational cooperation.

    Wang Xiaohu and Alexandre de NAVAILLES signed a cooperation agreement on the joint cultivation of postgraduate students on behalf of the Sino-French Institute of RUC and KEDGE Business School respectively.

    During the meeting, the Joint Management Committee presented the “Sino-French Institute Lifetime Achievement Award” to Jean-François VERGNAUD, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the establishment and development of the institute. Lin Shangli, on behalf of the Joint Management Committee, presented the certificate to Jean-François VERGNAUD.

    Adrien PICQUOUT, Director of the Office of the Humanities Faculty at Sorbonne University; the principal person in charge of the Party Committee of the Suzhou Campus of RUC; representatives of the French team of the Sino-French Institute; heads of the International Affairs Office and the Academic Affairs Office of the Suzhou Campus; as well as teacher representatives from the Sino-French Institute attended the meeting.