(By Xu Ran, Photo by Céline MAYOUSSIER) From March 31 to April 1, Nicolas CAZALIS, Vice President of École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC), and Jordan MORISSEAU, Head of the Development Program of ZFAI, visited the Hangzhou International Campus of Beihang University to advance practical cooperation between the two institutions in such areas as school planning, administrative management, curriculum construction, and research collaboration for ZFAI.
Nicolas CAZALIS and his delegation were received by Dong Zhuoning, Director of the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University (H3I), Frédéric GENTY, the French Dean of ZFAI, Zhang Wei, Vice Director of H3I, and Chen Chao, Director of the International Cooperation Office. On behalf of H3I, Dong Zhuoning extended a warm welcome to Nicolas CAZALIS and his delegation. He pointed out that the meeting would be conducive for improving cooperation mechanisms and advancing key projects, thereby laying a solid foundation for the high-quality development of ZFAI. Both sides agreed to take this visit as an opportunity to ensure tangible progress in various areas ahead of the Joint Management Committee meeting in July and elevate the operation of ZFAI to new heights.
On the morning of March 31, Nicolas CAZALIS and his delegation held a meeting with representatives from the International Cooperation Office to discuss the Advanced Master’s Program in Aviation Management. The discussion featured thorough exchanges on key issues, including curriculum system optimization, credit setting standards, faculty development, and enrollment strategies. Approved by the Ministry of Education in March, the Program became the third Sino-foreign cooperative education program at ZFAI, following the International Outstanding Engineer Program and the International Dual Master Degree Program. As a new achievement of educational cooperation between the two parties, the program offers specialized courses in aviation transportation, safety management, and aviation laws, especially for aviation professionals. With an annual enrollment target of 120 students, the graduates will be awarded an Advanced Master’s Degree in Aviation Management by ENAC.
On the afternoon of March 31, Nicolas CAZALIS and his delegation conducted a seminar with representatives from the Teaching Affairs Department and coordinators of preparatory mathematics and French courses at ZFAI. Their discussions focused on topics such as the revision of ZFAI’s preparatory training plan, the refinement of the curriculum and credit plans for the engineer stage, the certification process with the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur (CTI), and the framework for the Advanced Master’s Program in Aviation Management. Through the seminar, the two parties reached consensus on multiple fronts, including the alignment of teaching standards and the enhancement of the curriculum system, further consolidating the teaching system at ZFAI.
Following the meeting, Nicolas CAZALIS and his delegation engaged in a face-to-face exchange with ZFAI students enrolled in 2023 and 2024. Nicolas CAZALIS warmly inquired about the students’ academic and campus life. He also sought their opinions and suggestions on curriculum design and teaching methods. The students actively participated in the discussion, engaging in in-depth exchanges with Nicolas CAZALIS on various topics, including opportunities for exchange in France, their adaptation to French-language instructions in class, and the connection of specialized courses.
During their stay, Nicolas CAZALIS and his delegation also held discussions with the team from the Smart Aviation Center (SAC) on improving the construction plan for the Joint Research and Teaching Laboratory, advancing the International Double Master Degree Program, organizing international conferences, and carrying out summer school activities. Furthermore, Nicolas CAZALIS and his delegation exchanged ideas with industry representatives from the International Aviation Supply Chain (IASC) and reached preliminary intentions on future university-enterprise cooperation.
Approved by Dong Zhuoning, Zhang Wei, Xu Ran
Edited by Yuan Xiaohui
