On October 10, the China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy (ICARE) at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) hosted two major events: the opening of the photo exhibition “Explorons la planète bleue pour mieux la protéger” (“Exploring the Blue Planet to Better Protect It”) and the inauguration of the ICARE Enterprise Club, as part of the 12th Sino-French Environmental Month in Wuhan.
The ceremony gathered Ms. Gaëlle Lichardos-Garrigues, newly appointed Science, Technology and Education Cooperation Commissioner at the Consulate General of France in Wuhan; Mr. Romain Dolais, new Director of Campus France Wuhan; representatives from HUST’s Office of International Affairs, School of International Education, and National Graduate College for Engineers; as well as more than a dozen Chinese and international companies. The event was hosted by Dr. Zou Mingqing, Vice Dean of ICARE.
In his welcome address, Prof. Luo Xiaobing, Chinese Dean of ICARE, underlined the special significance of this year’s Environmental Month, themed “Blue Planet, Green Future”, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Conference. He reaffirmed ICARE’s mission as a bridge for China-Europe cooperation in clean energy and environmental engineering, emphasizing that the day’s events not only celebrated the progress of Sino-French collaboration but also marked a new step forward in ICARE’s engagement with industry and innovation.
Ms. Lichardos-Garrigues, speaking on behalf of the French Consulate, introduced the background of the Environmental Month and the meaning behind the exhibition. She praised the event as a symbol of the enduring partnership between China and France in the field of sustainability, expressing gratitude for ICARE’s consistent dedication to protecting our planet. She also warmly congratulated the launch of the ICARE Enterprise Club and encouraged the institute to use this platform to deepen cooperation with enterprises, enhance innovation, and strengthen its international reputation.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ms. Lichardos-Garrigues, Prof. Chen Rong (Dean of the School of International Education at HUST), Prof. Luo Xiaobing, and representatives from Hubei United Investment Donghu High-tech Group, China Energy Engineering International Group, and Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems jointly inaugurated the ICARE Enterprise Club. The new club aims to create an open international platform linking universities and enterprises, gathering resources from China and abroad to tackle global challenges in energy transition and environmental protection.
After the ceremony, the delegation from the French Consulate visited ICARE and the Thermal Packaging Laboratory, where they discovered ICARE’s cutting-edge research in clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable technologies, as well as its contributions to cultivating high-level international talent. In the Clean Energy Building, ICARE leaders presented membership plaques to the founding companies of the Enterprise Club and outlined future cooperation mechanisms.
Representatives of the new member enterprises—Ms. Zhang Minrong (Hubei United Investment Donghu High-tech Group), Mr. Chen Shuping (China Energy Engineering International Group), and Mr. Zhou Zhanfeng (Valeo Wuhan R&D Center)—expressed their strong support for the initiative. They emphasized their intention to share expertise, promote technological innovation, and contribute to China’s “dual carbon” goals of carbon peaking and neutrality through cooperation in fields such as hydrogen energy and carbon reduction.
The day continued with a “Dual Carbon Strategy Forum on Cutting-Edge Technology and Industry-University Collaboration,” where experts, professors, and business leaders exchanged ideas on new opportunities for joint research and technology transfer. Outside the Clean Energy Building, a special green job fair brought together leading companies such as Valeo, HORIBA, China Energy Engineering, Wuhan Jiachen Electronic Technology, and MDPI (Wuhan). The fair connected students directly with employers, linking technical exchange with real career opportunities.
Through these combined activities, the 12th Sino-French Environmental Month and the launch of the ICARE Enterprise Club highlighted once again ICARE’s commitment to unite Chinese and European expertise in clean energy, education, and innovation—working together toward a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable planet.
