A delegation from the IEP de Rennes led by Director Patrick Le Floch paid a visit to Shandong University on May 26. SDU President Zhang Rong met with them.

In the meeting, Zhang first welcomed the delegation and introduced SDU’s programs and their features. As Jinan and Rennes are sister cities, and SDU has maintained close cooperation with a number of universities in Rennes, a solid foundation for cooperation has already been laid. Zhang also anticipated a far-reaching, expanded cooperation between the two parties, with their shared belief in the common educational values of interdisciplinary education and problem-solving as key to cultivating young talents.

At the same time, Director Floch presented a brief introduction of IEP de Rennes’ course structure, scientific research, and talent cultivation. Despite the differences in their history and size, both universities are vigorous and have much in common. In September, the first group of exchange students from SDU will begin their study at IEP de Rennes, and Floch expected more faculty and students would go to SDU in the near future.

Zhang and Floch both emphasized their plans to continue exchanging faculty and students, while furthering cooperative research.

During the visit, the delegation had a discussion with the Department of International Affairs, the School of Foreign Languages and Literature, and the School of Political Science and Public Administration, where they reached an agreement on the joint cultivation of students and Chinese Studies programs.

The delegation also met with students who would study at IEP de Rennes and visited SDU’s Museum, as well as the Chinese Traditional Culture Research and Experience Base. Florent Villard, Professor of Chinese Studies, and Mengchao Yang, the official in charge of Business Relations and Continuing Education from IEP de Rennes, joined the delegation.

IEP de Rennes is one of the political institutions in France offering multi- and inter-disciplinary education to its students. In April of 2017, it signed a bilateral agreement on student exchange with SDU.

Translated by: Li Wenwen

Edited by: Kyle Muntz, Zhao Yan