Xi'an Jiaotong University and SKEMA Business School's joint Master's Degree Program in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (specializing in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Management) recently clinched the prestigious "Sino-French Innovation&Partnership Award" from the China-France Chamber of Commerce. This recognition not only applauds the ten-year partnership's achievements but also highlights their role in advancing global business education and supporting the digital economy.

Anne Genetet (left), former French Minister of Education, presents the award for the project.

Starting in 2015 through the "Silk Road University Alliance," the collaboration initiated a new phase of educational strategic cooperation under the "Belt and Road" initiative.

In 2020, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, universities in China launched the first-of-its-kind Master's program in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Management) in China, emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach.

By the end of 2024, the project had enrolled 300 students, producing 180 graduates with a perfect graduation rate. These alumni have excelled in artificial intelligence, financial technology, and new energy sectors, emerging as industry leaders.

The initiative not only fosters globally-minded innovation management professionals but also pioneers a four-in-one talent training model lauded by society for its comprehensive approach.

In recent years, Patrice Houdayer, SKEMA Business School's vice president, engaged in substantive discussions with Xi'an Jiaotong University's leadership, participating in key events such as project inaugurations and graduation ceremonies.

On May 28, President Zhang Liqun led a delegation to SKEMA Business School, discussing the establishment of a joint research center and collaborative high-level management talent cultivation with President Alice Guilhon and other leaders.

Alice Guilhon emphasized Xi'an Jiaotong University's importance as SKEMA Business School's key partner in China, expressing enthusiasm for continued collaboration in talent development and academic pursuits based on the entrepreneurship and innovation educational endeavor.

President Zhang Liqun commended the project's achievements, outlining Xi'an Jiaotong University's development strategy and innovative industry-education integration practices. He expressed optimism for enhancing cooperative education quality and fostering innovative collaboration models across disciplines, faculty exchanges, student training, research partnerships, and other areas in this new phase of cooperation.