Opening Ceremony of the First “Descartes Class” at SJTU–Paris Élite Institute of Technology
On the afternoon of November 12, the opening ceremony of the first “Descartes Class” of the SJTU–Paris Élite Institute of Technology (SPEIT) was held in Room 205 of the Sino-French Engineering Building. Leaders from Chinese and French universities, along with corporate representatives, gathered to witness this new milestone in Sino-French engineering education cooperation.
Guests in attendance included Vice President Weidong Liu of Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Estelle IACONA, President of ENSTA Paris, and Sébastien REYMOND, Head of International Cooperation; Jean-François NAVINER, Head of International Cooperation at Telecom Paris, and Nicolas PROST, Director of International Programs; Marie-Christine BERT, Head of International Cooperation at École des Ponts ParisTech; Chen Huiling, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Beijing Office of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris; Xiaoqun Zhang, Deputy Director of SJTU’s Institute of Natural Sciences; Zhenhua Xiong, Party Secretary of SPEIT; Cailian Chen, Chinese Dean; Zied MOUMNI, French Dean; Jialiang Lu, Associate Dean; former Party Deputy Secretary Xue Yao; and representatives from Dassault Systèmes, includingJunxuan Li and Yue Yin. The ceremony was hosted by Jialiang Lu.
Deepening Sino-French Collaboration for a New Chapter
Vice President Weidong Liu delivered remarks on behalf of SJTU. He noted that the current wave of technological revolution, driven by artificial intelligence, is reshaping the global industry, and SJTU remains committed to its spirit of innovation and leadership.
He emphasized that the establishment of the Descartes Class, grounded in SPEIT’s platform and integrating the strengths of both Chinese and French engineering education systems, represents a major exploration of the “Mathematics+AI + Engineering” integrated training model.
The program aims to build a complete innovation chain—from foundational theory to frontier technologies and engineering practice—cultivating interdisciplinary engineering talents with strong mathematical grounding, AI literacy, global vision, and innovative capability. Liu pledged continued support for SPEIT in advancing international cooperation and helping students grow into globally competent engineers. He expressed confidence that the Descartes Class would become a new benchmark for Sino-French educational cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of the four French partner institutions (École Polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, Telecom Paris, and Mines Paris), Estelle IACONA remarked that the Descartes Class marks a new stage in Sino-French academic cooperation.
She highlighted that the program blends the rigor of the French Grandes Écoles system with the innovative strengths of Chinese education, striking a balance between theoretical depth and practical application under the “Math + AI + Engineering” model.
The curriculum retains the intellectual spirit of the French preparatory system while incorporating frontier topics in AI and digital technologies. She reaffirmed the French institutions’ commitment to providing academic support, aligning engineering school resources, and promoting international mobility to jointly create a flagship model of Sino-French cooperative education.
Building a High-level Talent Hub in Mathematics, AI, and Engineering
Chinese Dean Cailian Chen provided a comprehensive overview of program development. Named after the French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes, the class embodies the spirit of scientific inquiry and mathematical rigor in the age of AI.
As a top-tier talent program under SPEIT’s Excellence in Engineering Training System, the Descartes Class adopts a “three-in-one” training model centered on foundational mathematics and physics, AI theory, and engineering integration.
Students will receive intensive training in basic sciences, deepen their understanding of fundamental AI theories, and engage in frontier research. They will also travel to France for an immersive study supported by SPEIT funding.
Future initiatives include academic mentoring, placements in top laboratories, corporate practice programs, and international exchange opportunities—aimed at helping students develop core competencies and leadership qualities.
Currently, 22 students have been selected for the inaugural cohort. The teaching advisory team consists of five faculty members across mathematics and physics, including Célia CARCHEREUX, Marc BECKER, Hamza BOUKILI, David DELBARRE, and Shao Lingxuan. Research mentors are drawn from SPEIT and multiple SJTU schools, guiding students in fields such as applied mathematics and physics, AI for Science, and AI for Engineering.
Appointment Letters and Sashes: Marking a New Beginning
In the presence of all guests, Vice President Weidong Liu , President Estelle IACONA, Secretary Zhenhua Xiong, Dean Cailian Chen, and Dean Zied MOUMNI awarded appointment letters to the teaching advisors of the Descartes Class.
Following that, leaders and faculty representatives from both China and France presented personalized name-embroidered sashes to each student, symbolizing their formal entry into the inaugural cohort.
Student representatives Linjie Sun and Enze Wang shared their reflections. Sun expressed his aspiration to become a new-generation engineer with strong mathematical and AI capabilities, noting the intellectual sparks and collective growth within the class. Wang said the program’s Math + AI + Engineering model has filled her with excitement for future study and innovation.
Carrying Forward a Shared Vision for Sino-French Education
In his closing remarks, Zied MOUMNI stated that the establishment of the Descartes Class represents the culmination of more than a decade of Sino-French cooperation and marks a new stage in SPEIT’s talent-training mission.
He summarized three core strengths of the program:
- Deep involvement from French partner institutions, ensuring high academic standards
- A curriculum at the intersection of mathematics, physics, and AI, designed for future technological challenges
- A pioneering first cohort that carries both opportunity and responsibility
He emphasized that the Descartes Class is only the beginning—its future will be shaped collectively by faculty and students.
The formal launch of the Descartes Class signifies a solid step toward SPEIT’s goal of building a world-class, globally oriented engineering institute. Moving forward, the institute will continue deepening Sino-French cooperation and fostering an open, innovative, and excellent educational ecosystem to cultivate top young scientific and engineering talent with global competence.
Author: Zhou Xiangyu
Contributing Unit: Paris Élite Institute of Technology
Editor: Yin Yihe
Translated by: Denise
Proof read: Rui Su
