On 30 Jan. 2026, The University of Manchester China Centre featured in China Daily during the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to China. At a pivotal moment for UK–China relations, the China Centre continues to serve as a trusted bridge—connecting universities, industry, alumni and policymakers—through education, innovation and social responsibility.

To celebrate this year's #IWD, on 7 March, we invite women leaders and lifelong learners from diverse fields to gather around one central question: In an uncertain era, how can we design a life and career without imposed limits? 

This is not a lecture designed to provoke anxiety, nor is it simply a discussion about whether to pursue an MBA. It is a thoughtful dialogue about how women can claim agency in an increasingly complex world. 

Let us think together, converse openly, and design the future — deliberately. Please check the event details on the poster. Scan the QR Code to register. Please note that the language used for this event is Chinese.

As women leaders continue to break boundaries, how can one plan and achieve critical career advancement in the field of international education? What are the common challenges and unique opportunities on the path from teaching roles to middle management and further to school leadership? 

On the afternoon of March 8, 2026, International Women’s Day, the University of Manchester China Centre cordially invites you to join an exclusive in-depth sharing session in Beijing, focusing on career transitions and growth for educational leaders. Scan the QR Code to register.

AI is no longer a tool. It is becoming a strategic partner. With the launch of Seedance 2.0 and the rapid evolution of generative AI, the question for leaders is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to lead in a human–AI collaborative era.

On 11 March, we welcome Professor Wing Lam to the University of Manchester China Centre for a Manchester Global MBA Workshop Taster: “Redefining Leadership: Dancing with Your AI Partner to Guide the Future Team.”

In this interactive session, we will explore:
▪ How to reconstruct leadership frameworks for human–AI collaboration
▪ How managers can move beyond traditional management inertia
▪ How to build high-performing, future-ready teams in an AI-driven economy

If you are an HR leader, senior executive, transformation professional, or consultant navigating AI deployment, this session is designed for you.

📍 Shanghai | 🎫 Complimentary | Limited seats

Join us for an authentic Manchester MBA classroom experience and connect with forward-thinking professionals across industries. Register now, and rethink what leadership means in the age of AI.

In an era of rapid AI disruption, shorter industry cycles, and intensifying workplace competition, relying on a single career track is increasingly risky. The “Second Curve” theory, proposed by management thinker Charles Handy, suggests that sustainable growth depends on building a new growth engine before the first one peaks.

On 15 March, we invite Zhu Zheng, Director of the Career Center at New Oriental Vision Overseas, to share practical insights on developing your career “Second Curve.”

This session will explore one central question: How can we proactively build long-term career resilience and move from passive adaptation to strategic growth in uncertain times?

Drawing on over a decade of experience in higher education and industry collaboration, Mr Zhu will discuss:
• What career capabilities matter most today • How to upgrade skills, switch tracks, and build cross-disciplinary strength • How to break through mid-career bottlenecks and design a sustainable, risk-resistant path

The session is ideal for early-career professionals, mid-career managers, and those considering career transformation.

📅 15 March 2026 | 14:30–16:00 📍 Regent Beijing

Join us to rethink your growth strategy and build your next curve before you need it.

Dear alumni,

Join our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison, for a dinner reception on the 16th March at Regent in Beijing or 18th March at St. Regis Hotel in Shanghai for the launch of the Challenge Accepted Campaign.

The world is facing urgent challenges – from climate change and health crises to deepening inequality and the need for bold innovation. But here’s the thing: We can find solutions. We want you, our alumni and supporters, to join us in finding those solutions through the Challenge Accepted campaign.  Register to attend below.

What really drives the energy transition — technology, or policy? In today’s world, the answer is increasingly policy, capital markets, and strategic finance working together.

On 17 March, the University of Manchester China Centre will host a Global Part-time MBA open lecture featuring Professor Ning Gao from Alliance Manchester Business School.

This session explores how policy frameworks shape capital flows, corporate strategy, and valuation in the era of sustainable transformation. If you work in strategy, finance, ESG, or corporate leadership, this is an opportunity to look beyond technology and understand the financial architecture behind the energy transition.

📍 Shanghai | 🎫 Free event | English session Seats are limited — register now.

On 13 January, the University of Manchester China Centre welcomed Professor Ismail Erturk from Alliance Manchester Business School for an engaging open lecture exploring the evolving responsibilities of business leadership in a sustainability-driven global economy.
 
Against the backdrop of net-zero commitments and rising societal expectations, Professor Erturk examined how ethics, social responsibility, and financialisation are reshaping strategic management. Participants were encouraged to critically assess the tension between shareholder value and stakeholder accountability, and to reflect on how business models and media narratives influence decision-making in modern organisations.
 
The session prompted thoughtful discussion among working professionals navigating complex leadership challenges, reinforcing the importance of critical thinking and responsible management in an era of transition.

From 10-13 January, the Centre hosted an intensive Strategy and Competition workshop. Under the guidance of Dr Gianluigi Giustiziero, participants engaged with a distinctive curriculum that seamlessly integrated industrial organisation theory with practical corporate design. The workshop emphasised “designing strategy like an engineer,” equipping participants with a rigorous and systematic framework to analyse competitive dynamics and organisational structure. By bridging cutting-edge academic insight with real-world strategic challenges, the programme offered valuable perspectives for navigating today’s complex business landscape.