On the evening of 11 September, an alumni reception in Beijing was hosted by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President & Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester at St. Regis Hotel in Beijing. The event witnessed a remarkable turnout with over 200 alumni and distinguished guests in attendance. Sherry Fu, Director of UoM China Centre and representatives from The University of Manchester Alumni Associations participated in this grand event.

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

At the beginning of the alumni reception, Dame Rothwell extended her warm welcome to the alumni and guests in attendance and then shared the university’s latest achievement.

She mentioned earlier this year, the UK government announced a new prize for artificial intelligence named after The University of Manchester’s invention of the first stored-program computer in 1948. It will be known as ‘The Manchester Prize.’

In terms of academic collaborations, according to Dame Rothwell, ‘We have academic collaborations with several leading Chinese universities, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong and Nanjing University and together we’re increasing the scale and impact of our research. I am delighted to be visiting with Shanghai Jiao Tong during my time here in China.

We have a strategic partnership with the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and we are moving this forward in discussions with the medical school at CUHK Shenzen about possible collaborations in research and education.

We are also broadening student mobility with our global centres. One of our largest centres in Shanghai, represented here tonight by the Regional Director Sherry Fu, has been operating for over 15 years.

On campus we have more than 9,700 Chinese students who bring their energy, culture and knowledge to Manchester. Around China, our extensive network of over 40,000 alumni, provides active partners for business and education. We are very grateful to the committee members from the Alumni Association for China who have volunteered this evening – thank you for your continued support of The University of Manchester.’

She also mentioned that in 2024, The University of Manchester will celebrate Bicentenary, its 200th anniversary, and she revealed that there will be a global series of celebration events next year. Alumni are warmly welcomed to reunite with their alma mater and join in celebrating this significant milestone.

Dr. Qian Ouyang, President of UoM China Alumni Association

Dr. Qian Ouyang, President of UoM China Alumni Association also delivered a speech. He underscored the importance of strengthening bonds among alumni, fostering a vibrant network, and promoting collaboration between alumni and the university. He shared his vision for the Chinese alumni community, emphasizing its role in supporting both current students and fellow alumni. He also encouraged alumni to excel in their respective fields, serve society, and give back to the university.

Markus Karlsson-Jones, Senior Alumni Officer (Global Volunteer and Networks), Division of Development and Alumni Relations

Markus Karlsson-Jones, Senior Alumni Officer (Global Volunteer and Networks) of Division of Development and Alumni Relations took the stage to encourage more alumni to get involved in volunteering for alumni events and initiatives. He highlighted the immense value that alumni bring to the university community and how their contributions help enhance the overall alumni experience and encouraged alumni to contribute to the Bicentenary next year.

The Beijing alumni reception was a memorable evening filled with camaraderie, shared memories, and renewed commitments to the university community. It served as a testament to the enduring spirit of the university's alumni and their dedication to fostering meaningful connections.

In the future, The University of Manchester will continue to deepen its presence in China, fostering stronger collaborations and strengthening connections. We look forward to working together with our alumni to build a solid bridge connecting China, the UK, and the world.

Group Photo of UoM Alumni Reception in Beijing