Teachers and students from PKU’s Classical Studies Program visit Paris
Oct 16, 2019
Peking University, October 16, 2019: From September 23 to September 27, a group of 15 teachers and students from Peking University toured around Paris as part of the Classical Studies Program’s approach to promoting academic exchanges and improving the students’ global vision.
Group photo of the delegation
The Classical Studies Program (CSP) aims to equip students with an interdisciplinary mindset. It was launched in 2009 and has enrolled 201 students over the past nine years. Students will be sent to world-leading universities for exchange programs every year.
Members of this tour included Li Silong, deputy director of Faculty of Humanities and convener of CSP, Wu Tianyue from the Department of Philosophy, He Jin form the Department of History and Cheng Sudong from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, and 11 students from CSP who come from different schools and departments.
On September 23, PKU delegation paid a visit to the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations in France. Professor Ji Zhe delineated the higher education system and the research system in France. Students from both countries shared their academic life at home university and exchanged insights on classic Chinese literary works.
On September 24, the delegation visited the most distinguished university in France, École Normale Supérieure, where the PKU delegation enjoyed a campus tour and learned more about famous professors and collections of books in the school library including the Latin translated scripts of The Analects.
In the afternoon, the PKU delegation held a symposium with the teachers and students of the Department of Classics in École Normale Supérieure. The dean of the department, Professor Christine Mauduit, introduced the department by touching upon its academic research and its student cultivation progress. Professor Li Silong introduced the development of the classical Chinese literature program of Peking University. During the meeting, two students from PKU gave presentations on their research in English and presented with detailed materials and pervasive arguments, making the presentations well-received by the audience. Professor Daniel Petit's lecture on the history and development of comparative linguistics in Europe was held at the symposium.
A student from Peking University making his presentation
On September 25, the delegation visited the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and the Louvre and had a discussion with the alumni of the PKU French Alumni Association.
On September 26, PKU delegation visited the oldest academic institution in France, L’Institut de France, and was warmly received by three academicians: Anne Cheng, Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge, and John Scheid. They introduced the history and spiritual tradition of L’Institut de France and encouraged PKU students to delve deeper into classical studies.
Throughout the five-day trip, the delegation also visited National Library in France, Guimet Museum, Orsay Museum, and Medieval Museum where they appreciated classical ancient relics.
Written by: Qiu Kanghua
Edited by: Wei Yunqi
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
