On October 1, Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) held an online signing ceremony with Université de Rennes 1, officially launching a joint PhD program. The ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU, Prof. David Alis, president of Université de Rennes 1, and Prof. Muriel Hissler, vice president of Université de Rennes 1.

SZTU and Université de Rennes 1 sign the agreement through an online platform. [Photo/Graduate School]

The PhD program will start enrolling students this year, mainly in the fields of material sciences and chemistry sciences. Under the agreement, the two parties will carry out in-depth academic cooperation and jointly cultivate high-end scientific researchers in the future. A certain amount of scholarship will be offered to students passing the assessment and enrolling in this program.

Prof. Ruan Shuangchen expects closer cooperation between the two sides. [Photo/Graduate School]

At the signing ceremony, Prof. Ruan Shuangchen introduced SZTU’s establishment, campus construction, specialty setups, number of students, etc. Though SZTU is young, it attaches great importance to international cooperation and opening up. He hopes that the two universities can cooperate in more disciplines and academic levels in the future to achieve win-win results.

The signing ceremony is joined by President Prof. David Alis, Vice President Prof. Muriel Hissler and Prof. Zhang Xianghua from Université de Rennes 1. [Photo/Graduate School]

Prof. David Alis, president of Université de Rennes 1, delivered a speech at the signing ceremony. He said that Université de Rennes 1 attaches great importance to innovation and boasts a range of powerful disciplines. It has a strong international orientation with more than 300 Chinese students, including over 10 doctoral students. He is confident in the prospects of cooperation between the two universities and hopes that both sides can maintain close contact and exchanges.

Prof. Muriel Hissler, vice president of Université de Rennes 1, said that the university has cooperated with China for a long time. She hopes that they can visit SZTU soon to have in-depth exchanges and learn from each other.

Prof. Zhang Xianghua from Université de Rennes 1 visited SZTU in the early days of its establishment. When he visited again a few years later, he found it changed dramatically. He said that SZTU continuously absorbs high-level internationalized talents and improves campus construction, precisely showing what is “Shenzhen Speed”. At present, Prof. Zhang’s department has accepted several Chinese doctoral students. He looks forward to welcoming students from SZTU in the near future.

The signing ceremony is witnessed by related department heads and deans of colleges from SZTU. [Photo/Graduate School]

The signing ceremony was also joined by Prof. Han Peigang, dean of College of New Materials and New Energies, Associate Prof. Hu Xuejuan, head of Graduate School, Prof. Holger Haldenwang, dean of Business School, Prof. Franz Raps, dean of College of Urban Transportation and Logistics, Prof. Julian Chan, distinguished professor and international affairs officer from Sino-German College of Intelligent Manufacturing and Associate Prof. Zeng Siyu, head of International Cooperation and Student Affairs Office. They all expressed their expectations of stronger ties between the two sides.

Tips: (Some information below is cited from the official website of Université de Rennes 1.)

SZTU signed a cooperation agreement with Laboratory of Glasses and Ceramics of Université de Rennes 1 in 2016.

Université de Rennes 1 [Photo provided by Université de Rennes 1]

Université de Rennes 1 is amongst the twelve main universities in France. It is a multidisciplinary university, famous for its excellence and dynamic research. It represents 30,000 students, 3,200 employees, 30 research units associated with national research centers. It currently has over 3,000 international students (10% of the university’s student population) and every year, around 1,000 of its students undertake an outgoing study programme or work placement.

Université de Rennes 1 [Photo provided by Université de Rennes 1]

Université de Rennes 1 has 4 main research sectors: Mathematics and ICT (Information and Communication Sciences & Technologies), Life and Health Sciences, Material Sciences, engineering and technology and Humanities and Social Sciences (Law, economics, management, philosophy, journalism). It has got 17 IRP (International Research Project, former LIAs), 4 IRN (International Research Networks), and offers degrees taught exclusively in English: 10 master’s degrees, double degrees with international partners and off-campus training sessions.

Drafted by Daisy（姚琦）/ International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Edited by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office