Group Photo of SUISQP Management Team and Visiting Delegation from UoM

On September 14, 2023, Ms. Sherry Fu, Director of The University of Manchester China Centre, led an academic delegation from the Manchester Institute of Education to visit the Shanghai United International School Qingpu Campus (SUISQP). The delegation, including Dr. Alex McTaggart, Academic Head of Transnational Education at the University of Manchester; Dr. Paul Armstrong, Director of the Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) master's course; and Dr. Stephen Rayner, Deputy Director of the course, engaged in productive discussion with Co-Principals Ms. Sunny Huang and Dr. Adam Neufield. The visit was coordinated by Ms. Helen Liu, Assistant Principal of SUISQP and a current student in the UoM ELiP course.

Under the guidance of the SUISQP leadership team, the UoM delegation had a prosperous campus tour, which includes state-of-the-art facilities for holistic education, life, and care, such as an art salon, classrooms, libraries, the sports centre, the smart canteen, and a relaxation pool. The visit concluded with a tea reception in a historic mid-Qing Dynasty Ancient House within the campus, dating back nearly three centuries.

SUISQP Facilities

During the meeting, Dr. Neufield extended a warm welcome to the UoM delegation, highlighting that The University of Manchester is a well-known institution in the UK and a dream school for many of SUISQP's high school students. He proudly announced that this year, SUISQP received four acceptance letters from The University of Manchester, making the visit of the university team an uplifting and inspiring experience for both teachers and students. Dr. Neufield also provided insights into the development history, enrollment, and vision of SUISQP, with a particular emphasis on international education policies in China, especially in Shanghai.

Academics from UoM expressed their high appreciation for SUISQP's campus facilities, achievements, the scale of international education in China, and the dedication of educators here. As seasoned scholars and practitioners in the field of educational leadership, they’ve been engaged in in-depth discussions on theory, practice, and how to effectively apply educational leadership to influence different stakeholders such as team members, students, and even parents.

Tea Reception at the Ancient House in SUISQP

The University of Manchester China Centre established a Talent Management Partnership with the Shanghai Xiehe Education Centre in 2021, which includes SUISQP. Currently, four colleagues from XIEHE are enrolled in the ELiP course. As a representing student of the program, Ms. Liu expressed her gratitude for the program's support in her daily management and shared how she integrates SUISQP's school mission into her reflective learning process. She also recalled the detailed and critical feedback provided by the professors, which she found invaluable.

This visit is another significant milestone in the UoM China Educator Club’s School Visit Series. The China Centre is dedicated to providing richer industrial collaboration opportunities for students, members, and alumni beyond their academic studies. The Centre aims to integrate industry resources, promote collaboration, and foster the vibrant development of talents within the region.