中文版

Below message of support has been sent by Development and Alumni Relations at The University of Manchester.

Dear Alumni,

We've  been following the news regarding the outbreak of the coronavirus and I  want to express my sympathy with you and all of our graduates across  China.

You are all in our thoughts at this difficult time.

We  have already contacted our students and staff members based in China  and we're making arrangements to ensure their safety, as appropriate.

We  also understand that it’s a difficult time for students in China who  are considering coming to Manchester. We want anyone considering  Manchester as a destination for  study to rest assured that we are doing everything we can to support  these students with flexibility in our application processes.

For any alumni gatherings which have been postponed, we look forward to when you will be free to resume these. We welcome any information from graduates who may be planning alumni gatherings in the near future.

I’ve  included below a joint statement, published last week, from all of the  Higher Education institutions in Greater Manchester and the Consulate  General of the People’s  Republic of China. Our President & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame  Nancy Rothwell has taken personal responsibility for ensuring staff and  students on campus pull together and that the impact of COVID-19 does  not result in prejudice on campus.

With warm wishes from Manchester.

Richard Screaton

Deputy Director (Alumni Engagement)

Division of Development and Alumni Relations

Statement from Greater Manchester Higher Education Institutions and Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China

The  city of Manchester has a long standing relationship with Wuhan via its  sister-city relationship and has developed deeper connections throughout  China over the last  30 years. Since 1986, we have been working in partnership on a number  of strategic initiatives including trade, cultural and educational  partnerships.

As  Wuhan and other cities in China battle the coronavirus outbreak our  thoughts go to our colleagues and friends across universities,  government and businesses in China.   We stand ready to support our colleagues as they face down the threat  of coronavirus, just as we have stood in celebration with them in more  joyful times such as welcoming university staff and students from Hubei  to work on collaborative research or to study  with us or participating in events to mark the 30th anniversary of our  sister-city relationship.

As  institutions of learning, we use empirical evidence to inform our world  class research and in our teaching we seek to develop the critical  thinking skills of our students.  Our response to the coronavirus outbreak will be underpinned by these  core values, acting on available evidence to develop a proportionate  response to any cases of coronavirus in our universities and ensuring  our students act in a way which respects difference  and recognises our common humanity.  As universities with a wide and  diverse student and staff populations from across the globe, there is no  place in our communities for prejudice and we are committed to ensuring  that all students are treated equally. At  this difficult time, it is essential that we pull together as one  community, the universities in Manchester will work in partnership with  the Consulate General to ensure that students from China continue to  feel welcome in the city and that any disruption  to their studies is minimised.

The  10,000 Chinese students and scholars population in Manchester  constitutes the biggest overseas student group in North England. The  Chinese Consulate General will work  closely with the universities in Manchester and the local health  department to support everyone with a more inclusive and united  mentality, maintain rationality and calmness. We seek to support each  other through this difficult time and to continue to work  in partnership and friendship for another 30 years.

Professor George Holmes, Vice-Chancellor, the University of Bolton

Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor, the University of Salford

Professor Linda Merrick, Principal, the Royal Northern College of Music

Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor, Manchester Metropolitan University

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester

Mr Zheng Xiyuan, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester

武汉，加油！

Useful links：

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://studentnews.manchester.ac.uk/2020/02/19/coronavirus-frequently-asked-questions/

https://www.reportandsupport.manchester.ac.uk/