As one of the founders of industrial science education in Beihang's international engineering program, Guillaume Merle, from the Sino-French Engineer School (School of General Engineering) at Beihang University, is the longest-serving foreign faculty member at the School, having devoted 13 years to the university.

Starting from scratch, Merle built the disciplinary framework, founded the industrial science laboratory, and introduced France's cutting-edge engineering preparatory education system to Beihang, making Beihang a pioneer in Sino-French educational collaboration.

Building a Discipline from Scratch, Bridging Sino-French Education

As the founding head of the Industrial Science curriculum at Beihang's Sino-French Engineer School, Merle has spent 13 years dedicated to building a disciplinary system that integrates the best of both French and Chinese education. When he first arrived, the industrial science discipline had yet to be established. Drawing on his profound academic knowledge and deep insights into both educational systems, he designed the entire discipline from the ground up. From curriculum modules to teaching standards, from recruiting faculty to developing practical teaching systems, every step reflected his relentless effort.

Combining the rigor of French engineering education with China's educational context, he defined core courses including automated systems, industrial thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics, and developed a complete industrial science system covering foundational theory, practical application, and cutting-edge exploration — bringing France's advanced educational model to Beihang. This system has not only laid a solid foundation for training globally minded engineers but has also become a landmark achievement in Sino-French engineering education, offering a valuable model for similar programs at other universities.

Devoted to Teaching, Shaping Global Talent

Merle maintains exceptional responsibility in teaching. He teaches core courses including automation and industrial thermodynamics, which are challenging yet essential for students. With clear logic and vivid examples, he explains complex theories thoroughly and helps students build a systematic knowledge structure.

He is patient and attentive with every student, offering careful guidance both in and after class, and is very popular among students. Over the years, he has trained numerous outstanding engineers with strong professional competence and cross-cultural communication skills, many of whom have now played key roles in Sino-French scientific and cultural exchanges. He is also actively involved in mentoring young faculty, sharing teaching methods and experience to continuously improve the faculty's teaching ability, and sustaining the development of Sino-French engineering education.

From Classical to Cutting-Edge, Pioneering Interdisciplinary Innovation

Beyond traditional industrial science education, Merle has also ventured into an entirely new field: quantum mechanics. He now teaches quantum mechanics courses at the school, guiding students to build solid engineering fundamentals while exlporing the latest developments in modern physics — bridging the gap from classical to contemporary science.

To further improve the systematic and international quality of the curriculum, he has edited two volumes of Industrial Science and served on the editorial board of an 11-volume French-language engineering textbook series. In writing these materials, he has skillfully integrated France's advanced engineering education concepts with real-world examples from China's industrial development, creating textbooks that are both theoretically rich and practically valuable. He has also written an exclusive solution manual for Quantum Mechanics by Nobel laureate Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, providing an essential reference for students studying this landmark work.

Deeply Rooted in China, Promoting Sino-French Exchange

Having lived in China for over a decade, Merle has developed a deep bond with the country. He has learned Chinese, embraced Chinese culture, integrated into local life, and built sincere, long-term relationships with colleagues and students. This sense of belonging, which transcends borders, comes from his recognition of China's educational mission and his sincere love for this land.

For 13 years, far from his home country, Merle has built a bridge of knowledge and culture between France and China. From the early days of building a new discipline, educating generations of talent, to fostering cross-cultural understanding, his persistent dedication embodies the responsibility and passion of an educator. This cross-border commitment to education is a touching testament to Sino-French cooperation.

Editor: Liu Tingting