Creating Synergy Through Engineering Education

When French Professor Zied Moumni first arrived in Xi'an in 2012 to begin research collaboration at Northwestern Polytechnical University, he had no idea it would be the beginning of a deep and lasting relationship with China. Over the next decade, this initial academic partnership would develop into something far more significant — a personal and professional commitment to Sino-French educational cooperation, rooted in mutual respect, scientific excellence, and cultural understanding.

In 2024, he was appointed French dean of Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Paris Elite Institute of Technology (SPEIT).

From starting out as a mechanics researcher in France to being a key figure in cross-border engineering education, Moumni brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision of how science, teaching, and cultural exchange can come together to build lasting bridges.

Advancing smart materials research

Moumni's academic foundation is rooted in mechanics and materials science. He earned his PhD in Mechanics from école Polytechnique in 1995 and later completed his habilitation in engineering science at Sorbonne University in 2009.

His research focuses on smart materials and intelligent structures. These materials can adapt their properties in response to external stimuli, such as temperature, stress or electric fields — basically the building blocks of future technologies, including shape-memory alloys used in aerospace, biomedical devices, and advanced robotics. His work has contributed significantly to understanding how these materials can be modeled, tested, and integrated into real-world engineering systems.

One of Moumni's most influential collaborations began in 2012 with Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an. Over a three-year period, he helped establish an international research group that brought together scientists from China, France, Turkiye and the UAE. The team's work on intelligent materials gained global recognition, and in 2015 Moumni was honored with the China Government Friendship Award, the highest accolade the Chinese government bestows on foreign experts. He described the award not as a personal achievement, but as recognition of successful international cooperation. "It was a great surprise," he recalled, "but more importantly, it was a sign that our joint efforts were making a real difference."

A decade of cultural and academic exchange

Apart from a previous brief stopover in Hong Kong, Moumni's true introduction to China began in Xi'an in 2012, a city where history and tradition are fully integrated. The cultural contrast was striking, and the experience left a lasting impression on him. "It was a real cultural discovery," he said. "In Xi'an, I began to understand the depth of Chinese values — family, respect for elders, and the importance of community."

He was particularly moved by the way older generations are valued, such as retired professors continuing to live on university campuses. "It shows a deep care for people and their contributions," he observed. Over time, he has developed a genuine appreciation for Chinese culture — from the art of tea drinking, which he compares to the significance of drinking wine in France, to the conviviality of shared meals at a round table.

This cultural sensitivity has also shaped his approach to teaching. While the scientific content he delivers in China is largely the same as in France, he quickly noticed a difference in student behavior: Chinese students were less likely to ask questions in class, not because they didn't understand, but due to cultural norms around respect and uncertainty. To overcome this, he adapted his style by asking students direct questions during lectures to gauge their understanding. "In France, someone will always speak up if they're confused," he explained. "In China, I had to create space for dialogue. Now, I see that both systems have strengths, and the key is to understand and respect those differences."

From his perspective, Moumni's experience teaching mechanics at SPEIT, from foundational courses to advanced topics in nonlinear systems and numerical methods, has given him a comprehensive perspective of engineering education. He believes strongly in the link between research and teaching: "Science advances through research, and teaching should reflect those advances. When we use real examples from industry or ongoing projects, abstract theories become meaningful," he said.

For students interested in research, Moumni encourages them to pursue doctoral studies. "A PhD is not just a degree. It is a mindset of curiosity, perseverance, and contribution. It benefits not only the individual, but society as a whole."

This article was edited and translated based on the Chinese version written by SJTU.

Source: Science and Technology Daily