China – 2017

In April 2017, ten students from École de technologie supérieure took part in the sixth edition of the InterÉTS Mission, a ten-day academic and industrial exploration mission in China. This experience gave them the opportunity to represent ÉTS internationally while discovering a culture with a history spanning thousands of years and a country at the forefront of remarkable economic and technological development. Through professional and academic exchanges, participants also had the opportunity to build new connections and deepen their understanding of the Chinese context.

The mission took the team to Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, where they visited several universities and companies. Academic institutions included the Sino-European University of Technology of Shanghai (UTSEUS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and North West Polytechnic University. Participants also explored the Chinese industrial sector, including a visit to Atlas Copco in Shanghai, as well as meetings with Quebec and Canadian companies established in China. These visits provided valuable insight into Chinese approaches to innovation, technology, education, and industrial development.

Beyond the visits themselves, the mission aimed to develop the intercultural and professional skills of future engineers. Preparation for the trip included weekly meetings, activities focused on Chinese culture, and introductory Mandarin lessons, allowing the team to prepare for an experience in a different cultural environment. This immersion helped broaden their global perspective, strengthen their ability to work in multicultural settings, and deepen their understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with an international engineering career.