First Sino-French Higher Education Forum was Held in Tongji

On 22nd October, the First Sino-French Higher Education Forum , sponsored by China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and Campus France and organized by Tongji University, was held in the Sino-French Center in Tongji. The forum is supported by Ministry of Education of People s Republic of China and Ministry of Higher Education and Research of France. Over 240 participants from Sino-French governments, social associations and 94 grandes coles and universities of both countries attended the forum.

Prof. Pei Gang, the President of Tongji, Mr. Herv LADSOUS, the French Ambassador in China, Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, the President of China Education Association for International Exchange, and Mr. Cyrille VAN EFFENTERRE, President of ParisTech attended the opening ceremony and addressed speeches. Prof. Zhou Qifeng, the President of Peking University, Mr. Jean-Pierre GESSON, the President of University of Poitiers and President of the Committee on International and European Relations of the University Presidents Conference, and Prof. Ji Baocheng, the President of Renmin University of China made keynote speeches.

The forum was focused on four topics of the Mobility of Sino-French Students , the Sino-French Cooperation Models in China , Vocational Education and Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation . Eighteen presidents of the universities of both countries and Mr. Jo l Bertrand, General Director in charge of research of the National Scientific Research Center of France delivered alternate speeches.

Vice President Dong Qi of Tongji made a theme speech on Reflections and Practices on International Educational Cooperation . At the end of the forum, Prof. Zhou Jialun, the Chairman of University Council of Tongji and all delegations were invited to attend the reception held in the residence of Consul General of France in Shanghai.