SJTU·SPEIT
On November 26, 2025, the Grand Final of the Third “My Thesis in 3 Minutes” (MT3C) Competition was successfully held at the Lecture Hall of the Tsung-Dao Lee Library at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). The event was co-organized by the Consulate General of France in Shanghai and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, hosted by the SJTU Paris Elite Institute of Technology (SPEIT), and supported by Université Paris Cité.
Distinguished attendees included Joan VALADOU, Consul General of France in Shanghai; Antoine Kouchner, Vice President of Université Paris Cité; Zhang Zhaoguo, Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Zied MOUMNI, French Dean of SPEIT. Over one hundred students and teachers from SJTU, the Lycée Français de Shanghai, and Shanghai Guangming High School attended the event.
In his address, Zhang Zhaoguo welcomed all guests and highlighted that the competition reflects SJTU’s commitment to internationalization and the deepening of Sino-French cooperation. He emphasized that educational and scientific collaboration remains a cornerstone of China–France relations, and that SJTU will continue working closely with the Embassy of France in China and the Consulate General of France in Shanghai to advance bilateral cooperation in research and education toward broader and higher levels.
In his speech, Consul General Joan VALADOU thanked SJTU for its meticulous organization and reviewed the competition’s development under the framework of the China–France High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism. He stressed that the core mission of MT3C is to bring scientific research out of laboratories and into the public sphere—allowing science to be “visible, understandable, and relatable.” He noted that Sino-French cooperation in culture, research, and innovation has been particularly active in recent years, and that events such as MT3C help strengthen academic engagement and public interest in science.
Antoine Kouchner remarked that the competition embodies the power of cross-border scientific communication. He praised the dedication of Chinese and French supervisors in doctoral training and highlighted that the event coincides with the signing of a new cooperation framework between Université Paris Cité and SJTU, marking an important milestone for further collaboration in natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, and health. He wished the finalists success in showcasing the charm of their research within three minutes and expressed his anticipation for deeper cooperation in the future.
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Finalists and Competition Highlights
The finalists came from leading Chinese and French institutions, including Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris III), the University of Strasbourg, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Peking University, Wuhan University, and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Their presentations covered a wide range of fields, including artificial intelligence, materials science, biomedical engineering, environmental engineering, phonetics, astronomy, and public health.
The judging panel was chaired by Prof. Zhong Shengyi, Vice Dean of SPEIT, with the following experts serving as judges: Dr. Zhang Yin, Vice Dean of SJTU–UPMC Shanghai Medical College, Gaulier ROUX, French Dean of NACAA (China Academy of Art and L’École de design Nantes Atlantique Joint Institute), Prof. Shu Huazhong, Dean of the SEU–Rennes Graduate School, Dr. Nathan SPERBER, Associate Professor, School of Political Science and International Relations, Tongji University, Dr. Wang Yuejiao, Associate Dean, Ningbo University–Université d’Angers Joint Institute
All judges possess Sino-French academic backgrounds and extensive experience in their respective research fields, bringing both authoritative and diverse perspectives to the evaluation.
After intense competition, Tian Xishui (Peking University) won the Best Science Popularization Award; Song Yuliang (Wuhan University) received the Sino-French Connection Award; Chen Xuejing (Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris III) won Best Eloquence Award and the Audience Choice Award
During the intermission, the SPEIT A Cappella Choir and the SJTU Rongchang Chinese & Western Orchestra delivered outstanding performances, showcasing the artistic talents and well-rounded development of SJTU students.
On the same day, SPEIT organized visits for students from the Lycée Français de Shanghai and Shanghai Guangming High School to the SJTU Student Innovation Center, SPEIT, and the main campus, where they experienced SJTU’s vibrant culture and innovative atmosphere.
Since its launch, the competition has been strongly supported by multiple departments at SJTU and maintained close coordination with the Consulate General of France in Shanghai to ensure its high-quality execution. By combining scientific rigor with public accessibility, MT3C continues to foster Sino-French academic and cultural exchange and brings cutting-edge science closer to society in an engaging and approachable manner.
Looking ahead, SJTU will continue to work with its French partners to broaden cooperation across more disciplines and deepen bilateral exchange.