The Sino-French Institute of Art and Design Management of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Lin-gang Special Area [Photo/WeChat account: shlgguanweihui]

The Sino-French Institute of Art and Design Management of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Lin-gang Special Area, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, welcomed its first batch of students on Oct 15, after five years of preparation.

It is currently the only art college directly under the management of the central government of the Lin-gang Special Area.

The school was the only cultural and educational project to be signed off by the prime ministers of the two countries at the Great Hall of the People on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China in 2015.

The institute is a secondary school of CAFA, and the first art institution run by both China and another country.

It is jointly run by CAFA, the Sorbonne University of France, and The KEDGE Business School of France. It cultivates talent in art management, museum management, design management, and other related fields.

A four-year course there will offer a double degree for both China and France. Students can apply to study in France in the third year, and apply to take the second year of postgraduate courses at cooperative schools in France upon graduating after the fourth year.

The most notable aspect of the school is its interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach, which requires students to respect different cultural traditions while establishing a professional foundation in language, writing, history, and society.

The school currently has 160 students, including 148 freshmen and 12 sophomores who transferred from other colleges.

The Sino-French Institute of Art and Design Management of CAFA holds an opening ceremony on Oct 15. [Photo/WeChat account: shlgguanweihui]