Professor Duncan Ivison, the new President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester (UoM), embarked on his first official visit to China on 24 February 2025.

A delegation of cross-faculty academics has joined Professor Ivison including Professor Stephen Flint, Associate Vice-President of Internationalisation, Richard Cotton, Director of International Development, Professor Zhongdong Wang, Associate Dean for International in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Qing-Jun Meng, Associate Dean for International (Research & Innovation) in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Sherry Fu, Director of the UoM China Centre, and Di Yang, partnership Manager. The week-long trip included visits to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, aiming to bolster education cooperation, research innovation, and talent exchange.

Kicking off the visit in Beijing, the delegation engaged with key institutions including the British Embassy in China, China Scholarship Council, Tsinghua University, and Peking University, further reinforcing the University’s strategic ties in China.

British Embassy in China: Advancing Research Collaboration and Policy Alignment

Caroline Wilson DCMG (left) meets Duncan Ivison (right)

Dame Caroline Wilson DCMG, the British Ambassador to China, held a working meeting with President Ivison at the ambassador’s residence. The discussion focused on policy coordination in higher education and research collaboration between the UK and China. Representatives from the British Council and the UK Department for Business and Trade were also present. The Ambassador highly praised the UoM’s bridging role in promoting UK-China academic ties and expressed hope for a more active leadership role in cultural exchange, industry development, and talent cultivation.

China Scholarship Council: Optimizing Talent Mobility Mechanisms

Jianxue Sheng (seventh from left) meets Duncan Ivison (sixth from left)

The delegation visited the China Scholarship Council (CSC), where they were warmly received by Jianxue Sheng, CSC’s Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary-General. Both sides reviewed the outcomes of their long-term cooperation and reached a consensus on future collaboration. President Ivison emphasized the UoM’s commitment to optimizing the support for foreign students to facilitate the two-way flow of high-level talent between the UK and China.

Tsinghua and Peking Universities: Strengthening Academic Collaboration

UoM President Duncan Ivison (front row, third from right) and Tsinghua President Luming Li (front row, third from left) with their teams

UoM President Duncan Ivison (right) and Tsinghua President Luming Li (left)

The delegation’s university tour began at Tsinghua University, where they were warmly received by President Luming Li. Discussions focused on furthering collaboration, and the institutional cooperation agreement was renewed. President Ivison highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between the two top universities and expressed hope for expanding and deepening collaboration in the future.

UoM President Duncan Ivison (left) meets Peking’s President Qihuang Gong (right)

At Peking University, President Ivison met with President Qihuang Gong, Executive Vice President, and Dean of the Health Science Centre, academician Jie Qiao. President Gong reminisced about his time as a joint doctoral student at the UoM from 1988 to 1989, noting the profound impact this experience had on his academic development. He emphasized the significance of research and teaching collaborations and talent exchanges between influential universities for individual scholars, academic disciplines, and societal development. A cooperation signing ceremony was held during the meeting.

President Duncan Ivison delivering a speech at the Schwarzman Scholars, Tsinghua University

During his visit, President Ivison delivered a keynote speech titled "What Should the Principles of A Great 21st Century University Be?" at Tsinghua's Schwarzman Scholars and Peking University's Overseas Exchange Centre, receiving enthusiastic responses from faculty and students.

President Duncan Ivison delivering a speech at the Overseas Exchange Centre, Peking University