On 12th Dec., 2019, University of Manchester China Centre Beijing Alumni Christmas Gathering and Year-End Social Responsibility Panel took place in central Beijing. Mr Richard Cotton, Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach thanked all alumni for their continuous engagement and support and shared with everyone University, UMW worldwide and Centre news including the £1.5 billion ID Manchester project which is a new, world-class innovation district in the heart of Manchester the University of Manchester has presented to become its partner in delivering and also the biggest of this kind of project in Europe.

Ms Sherry Fu, University of Manchester China Centre Director welcomed alumni for attending despite of cold weather and heavy traffic. Ms Sherry Fu then shared with guests and alumni an exciting news: earlier that day, the Best Education of China 2019 Award Ceremony was held in Beijing Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. After nearly three months of online voting and expert review by netizens, the University of Manchester China Centre won the "2019 Influential MBA Program" award for its well-known Manchester global MBA programme, and Ms. Sherry Fu, University of Manchester China Centre Director won "2019 Education Industry Influential Role Model" award, which has become the only overseas award-winning institution.

During the past 11 years, the University of Manchester China Center has witnessed more than 1,800 business managerial talents achieving a tremendous career leap through part-time courses. Ms. Sherry Fu shared with alumni recent developments of University of Manchester Worldwide: to lead the innovation of education which is also called Education 4.0. Ms. Fu also shared about more programme offerings at the China Centre: more diversified opportunities for those professionals in China. The recently launched MSc Financial Management part-time course will undoubtedly create the opportunity of career progression for those professionals who are interested in or engaged in financial management in the financial sector and corporate finance. Ms Sherry Fu also mentioned MSc Financial Management and other part-time Master’s courses would offer special funding scheme with 15% discount for UoM alumni to encourage our alumni further broaden their horizon as well as developing a wider career progression in the lifetime and expressed her sincere hope that alumni will keep learning and continue to support the Centre in the future.

The Year-End Social Responsibility Panel started with the keynote speech delivered by alumnus Daming Liu who is the first Chinese to study abroad on the wheelchair as an undergraduate and earned bachelor's degree in Psychology and the title of "International Honorary Alumni of the Year" from the University of Manchester. Please click here to read full speech script by Daming.

Ms Sherry Fu then moderated the Year-End Social Responsibility Panel joined by Mr Joseph Du and Ms Mavis Meng who shared their experience with and thoughts on charity, philanthropy and NGOs. Mr Du talked about the importance of linking one's interest with charity and drawing returns from charitable actions to make it sustainable. Mr Du emphasized that it is crucial to enjoy the balance of charity and professional work as one can gain meaningful socials and inner peace from charity work that could be embodied into everyday life. Ms Meng illustrated the example of Grameen bank - bank for the poor, founded by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and talked about the difference between charity organization and social enterprises by clarifying whether the aim is to make positive social changes and financing through fundraising or to make profit by realizing rapid growth of business models embeddied in start-ups. Ms Meng encourages all not to forget why they started.

During the Q&A session, Mr Richard Cotton asked a question that left everyone wondering: how to achieve affordable charity when the general public doesn't actually possess a million pounds. Alumni, mostly working professionals in industry-leading multinationals, discussed on the subject and shared the challenges faced throughout their charity experience, such as how to balance work and charity, and raised discussion among the group. In the end helpful advice and help were shared and offered by other alumni with similar experience.

After the sharing, the exciting Xmas party continued with festive music, canapés, drinks, gift exchanging activity-secret santa. Alumni exchanged their best wishes through carefully picked presents for their fellow mates. The University of Manchester China Centre Beijing Alumni Christmas Gathering and Year-End Social Responsibility Panel was productive and successful and as one alumnus commented, “each mixer is always a great opportunity to hear about all the news and exciting developments taking place at our Centre, learn about new fields and meet with friends, old and new!”