The first official graduation ceremony of the École Centrale Beijing took place on 7 January 2012. The 75 graduates, who had been recruited in 2005 at Baccalauréat (GaoKao) level to join the first class of undergraduates at the school – the Nicole Bru Class – received their engineering diplomas from the École Centrale and at the same time their Master’s degree from the Beijing Aeronautic and Astronautic University (Beihang).
The ceremony was a key moment for the Franco-Chinese establishment, the result of a partnership between the Groupe des Écoles Centrales and Beihang University: after a successful launch phase, and with six years’ experience, the school now has to find its cruising speed.
The ceremony
A strong symbol of the two countries’ interest in this pioneering programme, the ceremony, presided over by several ministers (for France, Mr Thierry Mariani, Minister responsible for Transport, and for China, Mr Miao Wei, Minister for Industry and Information Technologies, Mr Du Yubo, First Vice-Minister for Education, Mr Cao Jianlin, Vice-Minister for Science and Technology) took place in the solemn setting of the People’s Palace, Tian An Men Square, in Beijing.
Dr Nicole Bru, honorary professor of Beihang University and “godmother” of the class, presented the first graduates with their diplomas, accompanied by Mr Huai Jinpeng, President of Beihang University and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the École Centrale Beijing, and Mr Hervé Biausser, Director of École Centrale Paris and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of École Centrale Beijing.
Delegate Lin Lin speaking on behalf of her fellow graduates: “We shall be going all over the world, holding positions of responsibility and proudly carrying the banner of Centrale Beijing.”
The day was also marked by the officialising of various agreements, including the Convention between the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the Groupe des Écoles Centrales, aiming to strengthen exchanges at the doctoral level, and recognition by the Chinese Minister of Education of Beihang University as an institution of reference hosting the Chinese Research Centre on France.
Class profile
108 undergraduates joined the École Centrale Beijing in 2005 to follow a six-year course. About 20 failed to complete the programme, 11 are studying for a double diploma and will graduate a year later. Of the 75 engineers who graduated in January, 22 will continue their studies to thesis level, mostly in France. Half of those wishing to join the workforce have already found employment (indefinite appointments) with Chinese companies or French firms established in China.