In 2024, The University of Manchester celebrated its 200th anniversary, with various exciting events held in Manchester and at its global centres.

This year, the University of Manchester China Centre continued innovating and shining. From the grand opening of "Light Up Shanghai" with Manchester Purple to high-level visits, research collaborations, and alumni activities throughout the year, the China Centre earned multiple prestigious awards for its excellence in transnational education. It also achieved breakthroughs in promoting sustainability and fostering business exchanges.

Together, we celebrated the illustrious 200-year history and forward-looking vision of The University of Manchester, while providing countless professionals with new opportunities for international career development.

Let’s revisit the highlights of 2024 and look forward to an even brighter 2025!

Shanghai's skyline glittered with neon lights as the University of Manchester China Centre illuminated the Citi Bank Tower in Manchester purple, with the number 200 shining brightly across the city to mark the launch of its bicentenary celebration. This special evening symbolized the university's commitment to excellence through a dazzling display of lights along the Huangpu River.

In October, Stephen Flint, Associate Vice-President for Internationalisation of the University of Manchester, embarked on a productive visit to China. Accompanying him were Richard Cotton, Director of International Development, and Kenneth McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School. Sherry Fu, Director of the China Centre, and Di Yang, partnership Manager supported the visit which aimed to bolster partnerships and foster deeper educational and research exchanges between the University of Manchester and key Chinese institutions, including the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (STCSM) ,  Zhejiang University's International Business School (ZIBS) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).

We have partnered with the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, hosted a captivating event featuring Professor Kenneth McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School. The session drew a lively and engaged crowd to the China Centre, eager to explore the theme of Innovation for Sustainable Growth: Balancing Profit, Social Impact, and Environmental Value. The event not only provided valuable insights but also sparked deep discussions on the role of businesses in shaping a sustainable future.

Professor Kenneth McPhail sat down with Yicai at the China Centre. The conversation covered challenges in the global macroeconomic environment, the transformative impact of education, and the essential skills future global business leaders need to thrive.

The University of Manchester Bicentenary Exhibition was inaugurated on 22nd Oct in Shanghai, celebrating the university’s two-century journey, academic achievements, and its deep connections with China. Hosted by the Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association (SORSA), the event was organized by the University of Manchester Alumni Association, Mcloud, and the University of Manchester China Centre.

Prof. Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, sent his video remarks, expressing gratitude towards the China Centre team and alumni for their contributions.

The exhibition was divided into five sections, presenting the rich academic, cultural, and social history of the University of Manchester over 200 years through photographs, paintings, object displays, and video images. It highlighted the friendship between China and the UK, a timeline of significant milestones in the University’s history, and stories of outstanding Chinese alumni who studied at the University.

The exhibition attracted over 1,000 alumni and members of the public, with nearly 100 alumni leaving their heartfelt wishes to celebrate the University’s 200th anniversary. The University of Manchester China Centre and Alumni Association organized several group visits, providing alumni with an opportunity to reconnect with their alma mater.

The special exhibition received significant media attention, with nearly 40 domestic and international media outlets, including Xinhua News, China Daily, Sina, Toutiao, Sina Finance, NetEase News, PR Newswire (UK), ADVFN (US), FinanzNachrichten (Germany), CEO.CA (Canada), and European Business Magazine, covering and republishing the event across various platforms, offering high praise. The total readership reached over 2 million, with the Xinhua News report alone garnering 1.22 million views.

In 2024, the University of Manchester China Centre continued to promote its high-quality part-time master courses across China, benefiting more students in the region and advancing the concept of lifelong learning. We've nurtured over 2,000 senior professionals and entrepreneurs, with an increasing number of industry leaders choosing to join The University of Manchester’s part-time master courses to empower their career advancement.

Welcome event, Manchester Global MBA, January / July Intake

Welcome event, MA Educational Leadership in Practice, Feb. / Sept. intake

This year, our part-time students based in China flew to Manchester during graduation season to attend their graduation ceremonies, capturing unforgettable moments on campus.Professors from The University of Manchester travelled to Shanghai to deliver authentic Manchester Global MBA workshops in person. Students from Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, and Manchester also joined in Shanghai, gathering at the China Centre for brainstorming sessions and inspiring exchanges during the workshops.

In February, the China Schools Awards 2024, hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in China, Southwest China, and South China, took place in Guangzhou. The University of Manchester China Centre was honoured with the Lifelong Learning Provider Award.

In November, the 12th Tencent Business School Development Forum was successfully held in Beijing. As the only overseas institution invited, Ms. Sherry Fu, Director of UoM China Centre, was recognized as the 2024 Role Model in Business Education, while the China Centre was awarded the title of 2024 Leading International Business Education Brand.

In December, the 2024 International Education Conference, themed "Empowering Education Through Technology, Shaping the Future," was grandly hosted in Beijing by China Radio International (CRI) of China Media Group. The University of Manchester China Centre was honoured with the 2024 Overseas University Brand Influence Award, and Ms. Sherry Fu, Director of the China Centre, received the prestigious 2024 Education Industry Leadership Award.

Lifelong learning is a worthy and enduring commitment. Looking ahead, we will continue to introduce and support more blended learning courses from Manchester. With a steadfast focus on “Global Vision, Local Practice,”we will combine local resources and connect the global alumni network to empower regional talent development through authentic Manchester education, driving sustainable growth.

On 21 November 2022, the British Chamber of Commerce in China held the Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony of the British Business Awards 2024 at the Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai.

We are proud to support the 2024 British Business Awards as a sponsor for the "Innovation Award". We proudly celebrate the extraordinary achievements of businesses that are leading the way in innovation. This recognition underscores the vital role academia plays in fostering economic growth, facilitating knowledge transfer, and building creative partnerships that bridge cultures. The award honours the critical contributions of British businesses operating in China and globally. It showcases their ability to set benchmarks for success, inspiring others to strive for excellence and innovation on an international scale. We also encourage our Chinese alumni to make positive contributions to the Sino-UK cooperation and exchanges in the fields of education, business and culture.

In June, The University of Manchester has been named top in both the UK and Europe, and second in the world for meaningful contributions towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.

This month, The University of Manchester has reaffirmed its status as a global leader in sustainability by retaining its position in the top 10 worldwide in the 2025 QS World University Sustainability Rankings. These significant rankings evaluate universities based on Environmental impact, Social impact, and Governance (ESG).

In May, we successfully co-hosted the second "Artificial Intelligence Forum" with Changning Chapter of Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association (SORSA). More than 100 overseas returnees and guests participated in the forum, and over 10,000 viewers watched the live broadcast.

Later this year, The UoM AI Forum "AI for Business" was successfully held at the Banma Suhe International Conference Centre. Nearly 100 participants registered for the event, including representatives from "Hai Ju Yingcai" award-winning enterprises and numerous returned overseas alumni.

Looking ahead, we will continue advancing research and innovation in artificial intelligence while fostering talent development in this field. By consistently integrating cutting-edge technologies with business empowerment, the Centre aims to drive the sustainable development of artificial intelligence.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of The University of Manchester, we have collaborated with alumni associations across various regions, hosted a diverse array of events throughout the year.

UoM 200th Anniversary China Forum (Manchester): Nearly 100 experts, scholars, and alumni from 15 countries and regions participated in the forum in person, with over 2,000 attendees joining the event online.

UoM 200th Anniversary Greater Bay Area Forum (Guangzhou, Shenzhen): The forum attracted nearly 200 Manchester alumni, industry experts, and professionals. It was jointly organized by the University of Manchester China Centre, Manchester Youth, Manchester Alumni Association of the Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association, and Guangdong Alumni Association of The University of Manchester.

UoM 200th Anniversary Hainan Forum (Haikou):

For the first time, Manchester alumni from across China gathered on the picturesque island of Hainan to explore financial and education policies in the Hainan Free Trade Port. The event was attended by Ms. Sherry Fu, Director of UoM China Centre, and Dr. Rong Chen, President of the Hainan Chapter of the Manchester Alumni Association, bringing together nearly 40 alumni and professionals from the finance and education sectors for an inspiring exchange of ideas and culture.

UoM China Business Forum (Shanghai): Over 70 alumni came together at the China Centre, where the SORSA UoM Alumni Association Young Professionals Career Development Club was officially launched.

UoM 200th Anniversary Zhejiang Alumni Development Forum (Hangzhou): Hosted by the Zhejiang Alumni Association of The University of Manchester and co-organized by the University of Manchester China Centre and Hangzhou Global Youth Talent Center, the forum brought together alumni and guests by the banks of the Qiantang River to relive youthful memories and envision a future of collaborative growth.

Over the past 16 years, the University of Manchester China Centre has established diverse collaborations with Chinese universities, enterprises, and government institutions. Through an innovative and blended transnational teaching model, we have enabled students worldwide to experience Manchester’s internationally renowned education. The growth and success of the China Centre are inseparable from the unwavering support of our alumni and broader society.

Our vision is to cultivate more exceptional global talent while fostering cultural, educational, and business exchanges between China and the UK. In an era of complexity and challenges, we are committed to leveraging the university’s societal impact to nurture responsible global citizens for the future.

As we approach the 60th anniversary celebration of Alliance Manchester Business School in 2025, the University of Manchester China Centre will uphold Manchester’s innovative spirit, lead in sustainable development, and strive for excellence.

Here’s to an exciting 2025, with more surprises and success ahead!