A new scholarship for immersion in China supported by the Inalco Foundation and the Société d'Histoire des Français de Chine

21 October 2025

  • Asia and the Pacific

  • Foundation

  • International mobility

  • Foundation

The Inalco Foundation is delighted to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with the Société d'Histoire des Français de Chine (SHFC), at a meeting held at Inalco's Maison de la Recherche.
David Morizot, président de la Société de l'Histoire des Français de Chine et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco
David Morizot, président de la Société de l'Histoire des Français de Chine et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco © Fondation Inalco‎

Chinese occupies a historic and major place at Inalco. Taught since 1840 at l'Inalco, today this language is one of the most studied at the establishment. Every year, over 700 students learn Mandarin in all its linguistic and cultural richness. The bas-relief depicting a Chinese man from the XVIIIᵉ century, which adorns the grand staircase of the historic site, bears witness to the depth of this link between Inalco and the Chinese world.

Inhabited by the same desire to promote cultures, languages and knowledge, the Société d'Histoire des Français de Chine (SHFC) and the Fondation Inalco came together on October 15, 2025 during the visit of SHFC president David Morizot.

Founded in 2010 by Claude Jaeck, the SHFC follows in the tradition of French learned societies. Becoming an association in 2020, it works to raise awareness of the history of the French in China through conferences, screenings, discussions and meetings.

A partnership as part of the immersion scholarship program

This collaboration is part of the Scholarship program for immersion in languages and civilizations supported by the Fondation Inalco. This program aims to encourage study and research stays in the various cultural areas taught at the Institute.

From 2026, this initiative will take shape through the creation of a first-of-its-kind excellence scholarship, enabling a Chinese-speaking student from Inalco to carry out an immersion mobility in China.

Working together to promote intercultural dialogue

By supporting this initiative, the Fondation Inalco reaffirms its commitment to international mobility, intercultural openness and dialogue between civilizations.

The Foundation extends its warm thanks to the Société d'Histoire des Français de Chine for its commitment and support for this project. Together, they are working to transmit knowledge, promote Chinese culture and train future specialists in the Chinese-speaking world.

The Inalco Foundation is delighted with this promising partnership and hopes to see it develop and grow in the years to come.

David Morizot, président de la Société de l'Histoire des Français de Chine et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco, devant la statue d'Antoine-Isaac Silvestre de Sacy David Morizot, président de la SHFC et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco, se serrant la main David Morizot, président de la SHFC et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco, devant le tableau du Tigre de Gao Qipei
David Morizot, président de la Société de l'Histoire des Français de Chine et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco, devant la statue d'Antoine-Isaac Silvestre de Sacy © Fondation Inalco / David Morizot, président de la SHFC et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco, se serrant la main © Fondation Inalco / David Morizot, président de la SHFC et Philippe Advani, président de la Fondation Inalco, devant le tableau du Tigre de Gao Qipei © Fondation Inalco‎