A Sino-French program run by Sun Yat-Sen University and the alliance for civil nuclear engineering education in France held a graduation ceremony for its first 72 master's degree graduates, who are expected to be a driving force in China's fast-developing nuclear industry.

The alliance consists of four higher education schools and the technological research institute under the national nuclear safety supervisor.

Having completed six years of study, the graduates received nuclear engineer certificates that are acknowledged by the French government.

The Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, was founded in 2009, aiming to meet China's urgent demand for talent in new energy. It now has more than 500 students.

France has been cooperating with China since the construction of the Dayawan nuclear plant in Shenzhen 30 years ago.

"As an important player in globalization, China will certainly cooperate with foreign partners, including France, to develop the new generation of nuclear power technology. I believe that IFCEN graduates will make great contributions to the process," said French Ambassador to China Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, who attended the graduation ceremony on Monday.

"IFCEN graduates will become China's elite nuclear engineers, managing the country's nuclear power stations and pushing forward technological innovation," he said.

The Sino-French institute has a busy curriculum to get students prepared in language and professional skills.

The final three years of the program adopt the French training model for engineers, with teachers sent from French partners and experts in nuclear enterprises invited to give lectures.

Most of the 72 IFCEN graduates have landed a job at China General Nuclear Power Corp, a new-energy company headquartered in Shenzhen.

Three signed contracts with Electricite de France and two with AREVA, both nuclear power enterprises in France.

xujingxi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 06/23/2016 page6)