On 13th September, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, hosted an Alumni Gala Dinner on the evening for over 300 alumni across the country and distinguished guests at the Fairmont Peace Hotel to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The University of Manchester China Centre.

Group Photo

At the beginning of the banquet, Dame Rothwell extended her warm welcome to the alumni and guests in attendance. She especially mentioned the upcoming University’s bicentenary celebration and welcomed alumni in China to celebrate this significant milestone for the University in 2024.

“It was wonderful to meet our alumni in Beijing and Shanghai. At The University of Manchester, our alumni continue to be a part of our community, long after graduation. And we’re always proud to see Chinese alumni shining in their fields after their graduation, in China, the UK, and other places in the world,” said Professor Rothwell.

On campus the university have more than 9,700 Chinese students who bring their energy, culture, and knowledge to Manchester. Around China, the university has extensive network of over 40,000 alumni, provides active partners for business and education.”

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell

President & Vice-Chancellor ofthe University of Manchester

Marking the 15th anniversary of the University of Manchester China Centre, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell congratulated the Centre on its outstanding achievements in China over the past 15 years. She highlighted the significance of the Centre’s establishment and development within the University of Manchester's global strategy. She praised the Centre’s accomplishments and stated that the University, as a highly regarded international institution, has alumni spread across China, who make significant impacts in their respective fields, embodying the University's motto of 'Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity.' She expressed confidence that the University of Manchester China Centre would continue to lead in international education innovation, nurture socially responsible elite talents, and contribute to the shared resources of education, research, and business development between China and the UK.

Ms. Sherry Fu

Director of the University of Manchester China Centre

Ms. Sherry Fu, the Founding Director of the University of Manchester China Centre delivered a welcome speech During which she stated, "We are honored to have Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President of The University of Manchester, join two large alumni dinners held in Beijing and Shanghai during her visit to China, where she shared the celebration with our extensive alumni community in the region. This year marks a significant milestone as the 15th anniversary of the establishment of The University of Manchester China Centre. The success and growth of the China Centre today are inseparable from the support of the University's leadership, alumni, and partners.

She said, "In this 15-year journey of excellence, we have been committed to the pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and making a positive impact on society. Looking ahead, the China Centre will continue to lead in international education innovation, leveraging Manchester's research strengths to nurture socially responsible talents. We will also continue to engage and contribute to cultural and educational exchanges and collaborations between China and the UK. We hope our Manchester alumni will achieve great success in their respective fields and make positive contributions to society."

Since its establishment in 2008, the University of Manchester China Centre has been committed to multidimensional development in teaching, research, business, and social responsibility. At the event, the China Centre demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility by unveiling a series of 15th-anniversary commemorative items. The generous donations collected during the event were dedicated to charitable organisations, contributing to social welfare.

At the banquet, the China Centre premiered a video commemorating its 15th anniversary, allowing alumni and guests to reflect on the Centre’s development and achievements over the past 15 years while looking forward to its future. Ms. Fu expressed, "The China Centre will continue to lead in international education innovation, relying on the research strength of the University of Manchester, and will cultivate elite talents with a strong sense of social responsibility. We believe that the future of the China Centre and the University of Manchester in China will be even more brilliant, contributing to both China-UK relations and global talent development."

This alumni dinner, blending elements of Manchester and old Shanghai, facilitated a cross-temporal dialogue between the two cities. Alumni in attendance expressed their gratitude to their alma mater and the China Centre for resuming alumni banquets after the challenges of the past three years. Despite facing numerous difficulties, the University has maintained close connections with its alumni in China through online platforms. The China Centre has remained optimistic and organised various alumni activities, allowing alumni to access new industry resources and knowledge, integrate into the Manchester alumni network, and continue their growth and learning.

With 15 years of dedication, the University of Manchester China Centre has steadfastly upheld the core values of the University. It has continuously strived to cultivate international talents, promote global sustainability, and practice social responsibility. In the future, the Centre will continue to serve as a vital platform for the University of Manchester's international education, a bridge for Sino-UK cooperation and exchange, and a contributor to excellence in education, academic cooperation, and positive change in the world."

Special Thanks to Gala Sponsors