They come from France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and beyond – traveling thousands of miles to Wuhan just to teach a class. These experts in clean and renewable energy are affectionately known as "flying professors" by students at the China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy (ICARE) at 91系列 (HUST).
Founded in 2012 through a joint initiative between the Chinese and European governments, ICARE brings together 12 universities and is dedicated to training globally minded talent in the clean energy sector. Over the past decade, more than 60 "flying professors" have delivered over 70 percent of ICARE's core courses, helping to build a modular, multi-tiered curriculum that blends foundational knowledge with advanced topics – setting a benchmark for international education collaboration.
These professors do more than teach. They support student internships in Europe, foster international research projects, and encourage deep engagement in the classroom. In 2024 alone, ICARE students co-authored nearly 10 high-level academic papers with the professors. With a 99 percent employment rate, the graduates are excelling in both domestic and global job markets.
Outside the classroom, "flying professors" actively engage in Chinese cultural experiences, becoming part of everyday life at HUST. Thanks to their efforts, ICARE has welcomed several European student exchange groups, building meaningful cross-cultural ties. They are more than just educators, these professors are living bridges between China and Europe – connecting ideas, people, and shared futures.
