Source: Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology
Written by: Yu Zhantao
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On December 8th, 2013 in Taishan, the French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, accompanied by the Minister of Industry Arnaud Montebourg, the Minister Hélène Conway-Mouret, the French Ambassador to China Sylvie Bermann and the General Manager of CEA Bernard Bigot, had a meeting and lunch with Chinese students of the SYSU Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology (IFCEN).

During the meeting, the Prime Minister inquired about the achievements of the students and the way in which they perform their studies in a Sino-French department. French Dean JM Bourgeois-Demersay introduced the students and presented the curriculum to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister congratulated the students on their success in acquiring a very good command of French language in such a short period of time, and praised them for their results in math, physics and chemistry, which are the three fundamental subjects that a student should master to become a reliable scientist in nuclear engineering. The Prime Minister extended his thanks to the teaching staff of the Sino-French department, some of whom attended the meeting. He highlighted the importance of nuclear engineering for the future of Sino-French collaboration in the energy field and referred to the Sino-French nuclear partnership as paramount for both China and France. The Prime Minister also praised the development of the SYSU Sino-French School of Nuclear Engineering and Technology (IFCEN) as being exemplary and described the Chinese IFCEN students as potential bridge-builders between the two countries. He insisted on the valuable and long-term friendship that such programs will enhance in the years to come.

Thirteen students and staff were invited to the main table and had lunch face to face with the French Prime Minister, as well as Mr. Zhai Jun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. He Yu, Chairman of CGN, Mr. Wang Yiren, Vice Chairman of China Atomic Energy Authority, etc. During the lunch, the Prime Minister asked the students specific questions regarding their present curriculum and their future professional projects after graduation. Most students seem to be eager to embrace professional careers within companies such as CGN, EDF, Areva and Veritas, which are the major industrial partners of IFCEN. Some students also expressed their keen interest in R&D, consider going to France for PhD studies before returning to China to serve the country and participate in the development of carbon-free energy. The atmosphere at the lunch was friendly and the students’ knowledge and good table manners were highly praised by the French side.