The Sino-French Engineer School (l'École Centrale de Pékin) of Beihang University held its 2026 Graduation Ceremony for master's and engineer graduates in the Second Conference Hall of the New Main Building, Xueyuan Road Campus.

The ceremony brought together over 150 attendees, including Romain Soubeyran, President of the Groupe des Écoles Centrales; Gilles Fleury, General Delegate of the Groupe des Écoles Centrales; Thomas Maurer, Director of École Centrale de Lille; Wang Yunpeng, President of Beihang University; Zhao Weisheng, Vice President of Beihang University; Mickael Corbard, Attaché for Higher Education at the French Embassy in China; Wang Yan, Vice President of Safran China; leadership from the Sino-French Engineer School; along with faculty representatives, graduating students, and their families.

In his address, Wang Yunpeng extended warm congratulations to all graduates, commending their outstanding achievements in academic research, engineering practice, and international engagement. Against the backdrop of global technological transformation and deepening Sino-French cooperation, he offered three expectations for the graduating class: to pursue broad and deep learning with intellectual humility while continuously broadening interdisciplinary capabilities; to act with integrity and purpose, staying grounded and upholding the highest professional ethics; and to build bridges between cultures with vision, openness, and a commitment to mutual understanding. He encouraged the graduates to leverage their cross-cultural strengths, nurture Sino-French friendship, and strive to become world-class engineering talents who serve both national needs and global challenges.

Wang Yunpeng, President of Beihang University, delivering a speech

Romain Soubeyran expressed his sincere congratulations to the graduates. He encouraged them to remain committed to lifelong learning and continuously enhance their abilities to adapt to industry evolution. He also urged them to stay connected to their alma mater and rely on the alumni network for mutual support and career growth. In concluding his remarks, Soubeyran expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Beihang University for its enduring support of the joint program and his hope for further deepening of Sino-French cooperation in science and education.

Romain Soubeyran, President of the Groupe des Écoles Centrales, delivering a speech

Geng Lisheng, Chinese Dean of the Sino-French Engineer School, and Adnane Boukamel, French Dean, jointly addressed the graduates, congratulating them on their achievementsand encouraging them to carry forward the school's distinctive international engineering education, to remain committed to their country, and to serve as a bridge between Chinese and French cultures, growing into outstanding engineers with global vision and professional excellence.

Chinese Dean Geng Lisheng and French Dean Adnane Boukamel addressing the graduates

During the event, Gilles Fleury presented certificates to the recipients of the Outstanding Master's Thesis Award. Zhao Weisheng announced the list of Beijing Outstanding Graduates and Beihang Outstanding Graduates, while Thomas Maurer presented certificates to the outstanding graduate representatives, encouraging them to cherish the honor and continue striving forward.

Gilles Fleury, General Delegate of the Groupe des Écoles Centrales, presenting awards to recipients of the Outstanding Master's Thesis Award

Thomas Maurer, Director of École Centrale de Lille, presenting honorary certificates to representatives of the Outstanding Graduates

Shen Liuqi, a 2023 master's student, delivered a speech as the graduate representative. He reflected on his academic journey at the Sino-French Engineer School, sharing his growth in cross-cultural learning and engineering research. He expressed his determination to serve national strategic industries and act as a bridge for Sino-French scientific and cultural exchange.

Graduate representative Shen Liuqi delivering a speech

Wen Li, Vice Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, spoke as the faculty representative. He encouraged graduates to maintain intellectual curiosity and independent thinking, uphold their engineering mission, and stay grounded in technological practice with dedication to national development needs. He reminded them to cherish the international perspective and systematic thinking cultivated at Beihang and to maintain a lifelong passion for learning, creating value through diligent work in their respective fields.

Faculty representative Wen Li delivering a speech

The ceremony concluded with the traditional hooding and degree conferral, during which Chinese and French leaders jointly presented each graduate with their Beihang master's degree and the French engineering degree (diplôme d'ingénieur).

Established in 2004 as a joint initiative between Beihang University and the Groupe des Écoles Centrales, the Sino-French Engineer School has been selected among the first group by the Chinese Ministry of Education to join its Program for Training Outstanding Engineers. It has successively received accreditation three times from CTI (Commission des titres d'ingénieurs) and EUR-ACE (Accréditation des formations d'ingénieurs en Europe). Graduates who meet all requirements receive bachelor's and master's degrees from Beihang University and the French diplôme d'ingénieur, recognized across Europe. To date, it has cultivated more than 1,200 engineer graduates, equipping them with solid theoretical foundations, interdisciplinary capabilities, and the adaptability to address global challenges.

Editor: Lyu Xingyun