On October 17th, a delegation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's SJTU Paris Elite Institute of Technology visited its main partner, Mines Paris. The delegation was led by Zhang Wenming, the Chinese Dean of SJTU Paris Elite Institute of Technology, and included Zheng Cheng, Deputy Director of the Admissions Office of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Lu Jialiang, Vice Dean of the Institute, Sun Chenye, Assistant Dean and Director of the Administrative Office, and Zhu Sinan, Internationalization Officer.

    The newly appointed President of Mines Paris, Godefroy Beauvallet, warmly welcomed Dean Zhang Wenming and his delegation. Dean Zhang congratulated Professor Godefroy Beauvallet on his new position and briefly reviewed the fruitful cooperation outcomes in teaching and talent cultivation that both sides have achieved. He highlighted the plans and objectives for the Institute's development over the next few years.

    President Godefroy Beauvallet expressed his delight at the increasing student exchange and mentioned that he had visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University a few years ago and was deeply impressed by the excellent quality of its students. Mines Paris is planning to develop a new undergraduate program on its southern campus and hopes to learn from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's excellent undergraduate education experience.

    Deputy Director Zheng Cheng of the Admissions Office said that Mines Paris is very welcome to exchange and discuss recruitment experiences with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In recent years, Shanghai Jiao Tong University has achieved remarkable results in recruitment, consistently ranking at the top of Chinese university recruitment rankings for several years. In addition, Shanghai Jiao Tong University has established good connections with many top high schools in China, providing students with opportunities to participate in summer camp activities organized by the university, allowing them to get to know Shanghai Jiao Tong University and experience university life in advance. Professor Godefroy Beauvallet believes this is an experience worth learning from and hopes to have the opportunity to visit Shanghai Jiao Tong University for more in-depth discussions and exchanges in the future.

    Vice Dean Lu Jialiang expressed his expectation for deepening cooperation between the two sides in teaching research, scientific innovation, and other areas in the future, to which President Godefroy Beauvallet responded positively.

    During the visit, Ms. Cassandre Dupouy, the Communications Officer of Mines Paris, introduced the history and campus features of Mines Paris. It is particularly worth mentioning that Cassandre Dupouy shared the story of the first batch of Chinese students at Mines Paris. In 1878, Mines Paris had the honor of hosting five students from Fuzhou, China. These students arrived in Europe in 1876, and at least two of them were officers in the Chinese army. During their studies, they overcame language barriers and excelled in theoretical and practical courses such as mining and machinery, metallurgy, mineralogy, geology, paleontology, and identification.

    This story further extends the history of Sino-French educational cooperation. The Institute has taken this opportunity to collect relevant documents and plans, and intends to integrate this history into the origins of Sino-French educational cooperation.