From April 23 to May 1, 26 students and teachers from two renowned French schools — Lycée Louis-le-Grand and Collège Stanislas — visited the Sino-French Engineer School (l'École Centrale de Pékin in French, hereafter referred to as the School) of Beihang University for a nine-day in-depth exchange and study program. The event received strong support and assistance from the Haidian District Committee of the Communist Youth League.

On the afternoon of April 23, the School held a welcome ceremony in Building 2, which was attended by Chinese Dean Geng Lisheng, French Dean Adnane Boukamel, and Associate Dean Renaud Skrzypek. They extended a warm welcome to the French group and introduced the educational features and international achievements of Beihang University and the Sino-French Engineer School.

Tracing the Aerospace Spirit: Visiting the University History Museum and Beijing Air and Space Museum

During the study tour, the French group visited the Beihang University History Museum and the Beijing Air and Space Museum. With explanations from student volunteers, they learned about Beihang's development over more than seven decades and its spirit of serving the nation through aerospace endeavors. They also had an up-close look at various aircraft, spacecraft, and other precious exhibits, gaining a more intuitive understanding of aerospace technology.

Innovation and Technology: From Classrooms to Laboratories and Industrial Frontiers

The group participated in robotics project classes and physics workshops at the School, completing programming and debugging tasks for robotic dogs and engaging in discussions with Chinese students on physics topics such as elasticity and vibration. They also visited Beihang's "Lunar Palace 1" laboratory and the Center for Micro-Nano Innovation (Beihang Nano), where they learned about research achievements in space life support systems, micro-nano fabrication technologies, and chip manufacturing.

In collaboration with the Haidian District Committee of the Communist Youth League, the School also organized visits to several high-tech enterprises and innovation parks, including Nongxin Technology, the Zhongguancun Low-Altitude Technology Innovation Center, the AI North Latitude Hub, and the Xiaomi Automobile Factory, where they explored the latest developments and innovative applications in smart agriculture, low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence, and intelligent manufacturing.

Exploring the Charm of an Ancient Capital: From Cultural Heritage to Intangible Cultural Crafts

Beyond technological experiences, the group toured world cultural heritage sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace, and visited the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" Culture and Art Experience Center, immersing themselves in Beijing's profound historical heritage and cultural vitality.

Cultural sessions covering Beijing's urban culture, Chinese calligraphy, and traditional sachet craftsmanship were also organized, enabling French students to appreciate the unique charm of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

"The nine-day visit has showed me a China that is ancient yet modern, tech-driven and vibrant," said a French student. 

The Sino-French Engineer School maintains long-term and friendly partnerships with Lycée Louis-le-Grand and Collège Stanislas. In recent years, the School has conducted student and teacher exchange programs with the two French schools, deepening cooperation through initiatives such as the "Sino-French International Campus Camp." This exchange activity further consolidated the friendly ties with the two prestigious French schools, injecting new vitality into youth exchanges and mutual learning between China and France.

Lycée Louis-le-Grand, located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, is one of France's most historic and prestigious public secondary schools, renowned for its rigorous academic traditions and high-quality preparatory education for elite institutions. Collège Stanislas, a well-known private school in France, offers secondary education and preparatory classes for higher education, enjoying a strong reputation in France's basic education and elite talent cultivation system.

Editor: Liu Tingting