From October 26 to November 1, Chen Hong, Secretary of the University Party Committee, led a delegation to visit several universities, including KEDGE Business School (France), Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School (France), Edinburgh Napier University (UK), and the University of Greenwich (UK). During the trip, the delegation visited the Chinese Consulates General in Marseille and Lyon, attended the graduation ceremony for the joint Master’s program with the University of Greenwich, and met with the Class of 2025 graduates.

In France:

The delegation visited the Chinese Consulate General in Marseille. Chen Hong expressed his gratitude for the consulate's assistance in establishing partnerships with top French business schools and introduced the university’s cooperative education initiatives. Consul General He Youlin commended the university's efforts in Sino-French exchange and offered suggestions for innovative cooperation with French academic and cultural institutions, encouraging YUFE to continue strengthening ties to contribute to bilateral friendship.

The delegation also held talks with KEDGE Business School’s President Alexandre de Navailles, Vice President Santiago Garcia-Rodriguez, and other officials. Discussions focused on "3+1" joint programs, short-term student exchanges, and joint research. Both sides reached a consensus on co-establishing the "YUFE Sino-French Center" and collaborating on overseas education projects. Witnessed by education and culture officials from the Consulate General in Marseille, an MOU was signed between the two institutions.

In Lyon, Consul General Yu Jiang attended a working meeting between YUFE and Vatel (ranked No. 1 in France). Yu Jiang welcomed Vatel’s expansion of cooperation with China, noting that the recent strategic planning from the central government provides a solid foundation for win-win growth. Chen Hong proposed that the 10th anniversary of their partnership should be a catalyst for expanding faculty and student exchanges. Agreements were reached on program contract renewals, enrollment expansion, and MBA scholarship quotas. The delegation also observed onsite teaching and internships at Vatel’s Lyon headquarters. Additionally, the delegation visited the Yunnan Provincial Business Representative Office in Paris to explore innovative cooperation models.

In the United Kingdom:

The delegation met with Principal Sue Rigby, Vice-Principal Naomi Graham, and Professor Andy McGough, Dean of the Business School at Edinburgh Napier University. They celebrated the doubling of enrollment for their joint program since 2025 and record-high rates for graduate employment and further study. Discussions also covered the joint application for a Sino-foreign cooperative PhD program and the exploration of "AI + Finance" majors.

At the University of Greenwich, the delegation met with Vice-Chancellor Jane Harrington and Pro Vice-Chancellor Peter Griffiths to discuss the follow-up work for "YUFE Greenwich College," a joint education institution applied for in 2025. Before the meeting, Chen Hong attended the graduation ceremony for the joint Master’s program and met with graduates.

In recent years, the university has integrated national opening-up strategies with Yunnan’s mission to become a "Radiation Center facing South and Southeast Asia" through a model of "importing, integrating, innovating, and exporting" international education. This visit has consolidated partnerships with UK and French institutions and expanded YUFE’s network among elite European universities. The resulting agreements will drive the quality and efficiency of the university’s internationalization, injecting new momentum into the cultivation of international professionals.