On the morning of September 15th, the inauguration ceremony of Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University and the opening ceremony for the 2023 undergraduate were held at the Exhibition Hall of Beihang's Hangzhou International Campus. This marks another significant step in Beihang University's journey to establish high-level Sino-foreign cooperation in education.
In attendance were Joan Valadou,Consul General of the Consulate General of France in Shanghai, Olivier Chansou, President of the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile, Nicolas Cazalis, Vice President of the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile, Séverine Boué, Consul from the Cultural and Educational Cooperation Department of the French Consulate in Shanghai, Wang Jian, Counselor of the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tao Hongjian, First Class Inspector of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education, Zhu Xiumei, Deputy Director of the Personnel and Education Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Shu Peidong, Deputy Director of the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province, Chen Yanqin, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Zhejiang Provincial Government, Xu Weihua, member of the Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee and Deputy Mayor of Hangzhou, Liu Ying, member of the Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Yuhang District Committee, Wang Yunpeng, Academician and President of Beihang University, Zhang Hailan and Huang Haijun, Vice Presidents of Beihang University, Li Xiaoming, Vice President of Zhejiang University, Shao Xuerong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guo Dongfeng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Hangzhou Normal University, Dong Qingyuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Westlake University, Dai Hang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., Wang Renjie, Chief Pilot of Nanshang Holdings, Gao Yingzhan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Changlong Airlines, Franck Dubarry, Founder and Chairman of Sichuan Business Jet Co., Ltd., leaders from relevant departments of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, and Yuhang District, heads of Sino-French cooperative education institutions and relevant experts, representatives of collaborative partner enterprises, leaders from Beihang University, representatives of faculty and students; and alumni representatives. The ceremony was presided over by Huang Haijun.
Wang Jian, on behalf of the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered warm congratulations in his speech at the inauguration ceremony for the institute. He emphasized that Beihang University has always been a pioneer in Sino-French education and aviation cooperation. He believed that the establishment of the Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University will create significant opportunities and become a new starting point for Sino-French aviation cooperation and talent development. He encouraged the students to aspire to great ideals, strive for comprehensive development, and work towards becoming the inheritors of future Sino-French cooperation.
Wang Jian, Counselor from the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a speech.
Tao Hongjian, in his address, pointed out that the Zhongfa Aviation Institute has a positive significance in training international engineering talents urgently needed in the civil aviation field and promoting Sino-French cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation. He hoped that the institute will take root in China, nurture talents, innovate, lead, and become a top-tier higher education institution for exchanges. He encouraged the students to have ambitions, study diligently, and let their youth shine through dedication.
Tao Hongjian, First Class Inspector of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education, delivered a speech.
Zhu Xiumei, on behalf of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, extended her congratulations on the formal launch of the institute. She pointed out that the strong collaboration between Beihang University and the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile is of great significance in exploring a new paradigm of engineering education and nurturing highly international talents. She encouraged the faculty and students of the Institute to courageously shoulder the mission of the time, deepen reform and innovation to cultivate aviation talents, enhance open cooperation for the welfare of the people, establish deep roots in the land of Zhejiang Province, and serve as a pioneering example.
Zhu Xiumei, Deputy Director of the Personnel and Education Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, delivered a speech.
Joan Valadou extended a welcome to the new students of the Institute and conveyed greetings to the French teachers in his speech. He said that the prospects for Sino-French relations are bright and broad. Choosing Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University meant choosing the two famous institutions of higher education. Students will receive excellent aviation engineering education and learn about the French language and culture, becoming an important force for current and future Sino-French cooperation. He wished the students a smooth journey towards academic success.
Joan Valadou, Consul General of France in Shanghai, delivered a speech.
In his speech, Shu Peidong said that the Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University is an implementation of the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talents, as outlined in the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. This has significant importance in realizing the earnest hopes of the two heads of states, creating a new driving force for Sino-French cooperation, and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France. He hoped that the institute would become a new benchmark for Sino-French educational cooperation, establish a high-level talent reservoir and innovate a high-standard research platform.
Shu Peidong, Deputy Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, delivered a speech.
Xu Weihua extended warm congratulations to Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University and the new students. He pointed out that through the joint efforts of both Chinese and French Institutions, the Institute will become an important source of talent in the aviation field for Hangzhou, China, France, and even the global aviation industry. He encouraged the students to accumulate "vigor", cultivate "composure", and enhance "determination", continuously advancing their breadth and depth of learning, and be the best contributors on the journey to becoming a strong nation in science and education.
Xu Weihua, member of the Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee and Deputy Mayor of Hangzhou, delivered a speech.
During the ceremony, Wang Yunpeng, Olivier Chansou, Joan Valadou, Wang Jian, Tao Hongjian, Zhu Xiumei, Shu Peidong, Xu Weihua, Liu Ying, and Hong Guanxin jointly unveiled the plaque for the Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University.
Subsequently, Wang Yunpeng and Olivier Chansou jointly presented the President's Scholarship to representatives of the new students.
Wang Yifan, student representative of the Class of 2023, gave a speech. She shared her aviation dreams and the stories after entering the school, expressing her passionate expectations for university life. She called on her fellow students to strive to become international outstanding engineers in the future, maintain self-confidence and an open and inclusive mindset, and, with a broad international perspective and solid knowledge and skills, to contribute to global civil aviation development.
Wang Yifan, recipient of the President's Scholarship and student representative, delivered a speech.
Erwan Deriaz, as the teacher representative, warmly welcomed the new students. He mentioned that the training approach for French engineers is unique, and the students will gain solid knowledge and skills through enriching coursework. They will also acquire French ways of thinking and conceptual systems. He expressed confidence and expectations for the students who have chosen this path, believing that they will grow into outstanding engineering talents with a promising future on the international stage.
Teacher representative Erwan Deriaz delivered a speech.
The first batch of representatives from school-enterprise cooperation partners, including Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, China Southern Airlines, Changlong Airlines, and Silkwings Jet, along with Zhao Weisheng, Assistant to the President of Beihang University and Executive Deputy Dean of the Graduate School, and Sun Qingfeng, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University, jointly launched the University-Enterprise Collaboration Partnership Program.
(From left to right: Gao Yingzhan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Changlong Airlines, Dai Hang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Zhao Weisheng, Assistant to the President of Beihang University and Executive Deputy Dean of the Graduate School, Sun Qingfeng, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University, Franck Dubarry, Founder and Chairman of Silkwings Jet, Wang Renjie, Chief Pilot of China Southern Airlines)
Dai Hang congratulated the new students. He said that it was in Beihang University that he gained the knowledge that would benefit him for the rest of his life and established a lifelong dream in aviation that he would strive for the rest of his life. "Servingour countrythrough aerospace endeavors" is the shared goal of Beihang students. He encouraged the students to dare to dream, understand both the "individual" and the "whole" dialectically, dare to pursue their dreams, have the right perspective on the "present" and "future," and grow into pillars of the aviation industry.
Dai Hang, an alumnus of Beihang University from the Class of 1992 in the Department of Social Sciences and current Secretary of the Party Committee of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Civil Aircraft Flight Test Center, delivered a speech.
In his address, Olivier Chansou expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government and all partners who have shown care and support for the development of the Zhongfa Aviation Institute, especially Beihang University. He pointed out that the aviation industry promotes global exchange and openness, covering rigorous science and technology as well as rich human-machine experience, and it embodies the dreams of humanity. Both the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile and Beihang University are cradles for aviation talents, and the Zhongfa Aviation Institute, established through their cooperation, offers numerous advantages. High-quality teaching and an excellent team of teachers will provide students with the best resources for the present and future. Close connections with aviation industry enterprises will allow students to gain comprehensive industry knowledge. He was very pleased to see that the first batch of students were of excellent backgrounds, and he believed that these students would realize their dreams on this beautiful campus.
Olivier Chansou, President of the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile, delivered a speech.
In his speech, Wang Yunpeng, on behalf of the university's Party Secretary, Zhao Changlu, and all the students and staff, extended heartfelt congratulations to the new students of the Zhongfa Aviation Institute and a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and friends from China and France attending the opening ceremony.
He pointed out that, for over 5 years, Beihang University and ENAC has been collaborating hand in hand, absorbing and integrating the excellent engineering education concepts and models from France while leveraging the strengths of Beihang University's aerospace and information science disciplines. The two universities have steadily promoted international cooperation and education under this new mechanism. As a result, a campus with the vision of cultivating high-level international engineering talents has risen in Hangzhou. This modern, impressive, beautiful, and intelligent international campus is filled with youthful energy, which is truly gratifying and empowering. Students will have the opportunity to experience a new curriculum given in Chinese, French, and English. They will also benefit from aninnovative education model that combines bachelor's and master's degrees and integrates with the French "PreparatorySchool for Engineering." Under the guidance of internationally renowned academic masters, they will achieve new growth. The future is full of hope and promise.
As the students embark on a new journey towards becoming outstanding international engineers, Wang Yunpeng sent a message to the new students using three words. The first word is "Ambition." He hoped that the students will have the ambition to "embrace the world." He encouraged them to think about the development of the times and the needs of society with a broader perspective and a longer-term vision. They should approach learning and draw from the achievements of the world's outstanding civilizations with a more open mind and a more positive attitude. The second word is "Courage." Wang Yunpeng hoped that the students will be "fearless warriors." He wished they dare to question, think independently, and not blindly follow theoretical authorities. He encouraged them to innovate, explore boldly, take risks, and actively strive for self-improvement. They should also have the courage to change themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and find their own place in the vast world. The third word is "Action." Wang Yunpeng hoped that the students will "act immediately." He wanted them to be proactive and practical, excel in every subject, perform well in every research project, and complete every task. They should pursue their dreams and realize their value with a proactive and action-oriented approach to life.
"You are in the best of times and the golden period of growth," Wang Yunpeng said. As the first witnesses and pioneers of the Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University, he hoped that the students will carry forward the spirit of their predecessors, courageously shoulder the responsibilities of the times, and inject new energy into Sino-French friendly exchanges with the vitality and efforts of youth. He also encouraged them to contribute wisdom and strength to the construction of a human community with a shared future.
Wang Yunpeng, President of Beihang University, delivered a speech.
On January 9, 2018, witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron, Beihang University and the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile signed a "Memorandum of Cooperation in Education," launching the cooperation between the two institutions in Hangzhou, China. On April 22, 2023, Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University was officially approved, and it welcomed its first batch of new students on August 29. In the future, both Beihang University and the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile will spare no effort to promote the continued development of the Zhongfa Aviation Institute. Through the full integration of the disciplinary strengths and talent development characteristics, the two universities will accelerate the exploration of a high-level, elite, integrate bachelor's and master's degree program in international engineering education to meet the diverse and high-level talent requirements of the aviation industry in the future. Zhongfa Aviation Institute will serve as a bridge and vigorously expand comprehensive and in-depth cooperation with renowned French universities, striving to make the Sino-French Aviation Institute a high-level model of Sino-foreign cooperation in education and contributing wisdom and strength to the reform of international engineering education models.
