President of the French Academy of Overseas Sciences Visits Hebei University

Dominique Barjot, President of the French Academy of Overseas Sciences and a member of the Academy, led a delegation on a visit to Hebei University in the morning of May 12. Accompanied by Du Yue, former Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, the delegation was warmly received by Liu Bing, Secretary of the University’s Party Committee, and Meng Qingyu, President of Hebei University. Vice President Zhang Yangjian also attended the meeting.

Liu Bing extended a warm welcome and expressed sincere gratitude to Barjot for his visit. He provided a brief overview of Hebei University’s history and academic strengths, emphasizing the university’s commitment to internationalization. Liu expressed hope that both sides would deepen cooperation in scientific research, foster academic exchanges, and jointly build high-level research and talent platforms focused on global development challenges.

Meng Qingyu reflected on the fruitful results achieved through past collaborations between Hebei University and French higher education institutions. He underscored the promising future of cooperation with the French Academy of Overseas Sciences and voiced a desire to use this visit as an opportunity to strengthen joint efforts in cutting-edge research, talent recruitment, and cultural dialogue — opening a new chapter in Sino-French academic collaboration.

Barjot thanked Hebei University for the warm hospitality and stressed the importance of building the partnership on a strategic and visionary foundation. He proposed deepened cooperation in key global areas such as climate change and biodiversity conservation, with a focus on talent development, scientific innovation, and cultural exchange, aiming for early and impactful outcomes.

Du Yue reviewed the historical roots of China-France academic cooperation and praised Hebei University’s active role in global engagement. He encouraged both sides to integrate leading international educational philosophies and research practices into their partnership, striving for innovation through heritage and mutual success through collaboration.

During the meeting, the two parties engaged in in-depth discussions on concrete areas of cooperation. Representatives from Hebei University’s Institutes of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Science and Technology Innovation, International Cooperation, and other departments, including the School of History, School of Economics, Development Planning Office, and the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries, participated in the talks.