The Attachée for Science, Technology and Higher Education in Consulate General of France in Guangzhou, Dr Veronique Anton, and the University Cooperation Officer, Mr Zheng Peng, visited UIC to discuss collaborative opportunities with UIC on 19 October.

Both parties explored the possibility of students going to study in France, in addition to discussing research opportunities between UIC and French universities.

UIC Provost Prof Chen Zhi warmly welcomes Dr Anton and Mr Zheng

Following a brief introduction of UIC by Dr Katharina Yu, Director of International Development Office, Dr Anton gave a presentation about the promotion of French-Chinese cooperation, especially on the science and technology aspects.

Dr Katharina Yu gives an introduction about UIC

Dr Anton gives a presentation

Dr Anton mentioned the programmes supported by the Embassy, which highlighted possibilities for French and Chinese researchers and students to carry out immersion stays in a host laboratory in China and France to identify a potential area of collaborative research or consolidate exchanges around co-supervised students.

UIC Registrar Prof Li Jianhui further illustrates the research at UIC

In the discussion, the participants discovered the possibilities of co-organising events on the UIC campus, helping more UIC students go to top French universities, and helping UIC build more connections with French research institutions. Meanwhile, they discussed introducing some well-known institutions to the Greater Bay Area.

Also attending the discussion included UIC Vice President (Academic), Prof Huang Huaxiong; Vice President (Research and Development) Prof Jia Weijia; Associate Vice President (Internationalisation), Prof Adrian Bailey; Coordinator of the Centre of Foreign Languages and Cultures (CFLC), Prof Carlotta Viti; and Director of Career Development Office (CDO), Ms Li Mei.

（from left) Mr Zheng Peng, Prof Li Jianhui, Prof Huang Huaxiong, Dr Veronique Anton, Prof Jia Weijia, Prof Adrian Bailey, Dr Katharina Yu and Ms Li Mei

Prof Huang Huaxiong presents a souvenir to Dr Veronique Anton

Prof Adrian Bailey presents gifts to Dr Veronique Anton and Mr Zheng Peng

Dr Anton then met with Prof Carlotta Viti, UIC’s French Senior Lecturer, Ms Sophie Dubois-Pepin, and French Lecturer Ms Johanna Metivier to discuss the opportunity to organise events together during the Month of the Francophonie. Francophonie began as a forum to promote the French language and cultural and linguistic diversity. However, it has been expanded to support education, training, higher education and research, and foster economic cooperation to bolster sustainable development.

(from left) Ms Sophie Dubois-Pepin, Mr Zheng Peng, Dr Veronique Anton, Ms Johanna Metivier and Prof Carlotta Viti

From MPRO

Reporters: Samuel Burgess, Covee Wang

Photographer: Covee Wang

Editor: Deen He