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Director's Message
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May 2026
Dear friends and alumni,
What a remarkable month April has been.
As I look back on the past few weeks at the University of Manchester China Centre, I am struck by a single, powerful thread woven through every event, every conversation, and every new connection: the courage to grow in the face of change.
Whether it was Professor David Bamford flying in to lead Global MBA students from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai through the complexities of strategic supply chain management, or the extraordinary Han Zijun reminding us that resilience knows no age limit as she shared her Everest summits alongside our own alumna Serena Yu—the message was clear. Growth happens when we step beyond comfort zones, across borders, and into honest dialogue.
We saw this courage in the pages of Nineteen, where Adam Robarts and Wu Jingfan explored the very meaning of life and mental growth in education. We saw it in Beijing, where our alumna Wu Jing and ELiP student Struan Mathieson shared practical strategies for navigating workforce shifts and education reform. And we celebrated it at the 2nd anniversary of our alumni Speaking Club—a community born from a simple idea, now 200 members strong, proving that when we find our voice, we never lose it.
I was also deeply honoured to represent the Centre at the AmCham Shanghai Women's Leadership Conference, sharing how our Global MBA enables women to rise, and to visit Daystar Academy and the Qi Social Innovation Centre in Beijing—where two of our proud Manchester alumni are leading with purpose and heart.
To every student, alum, speaker, and guest who joined us this April: thank you. You are the reason this community thrives. You remind us that education is not just about knowledge transfer. It is about shared humanity, resilience, and the quiet courage to calibrate direction when the path shifts.
Here is to climbing higher—together.
Warm regards,
Sherry Fu
Women Rising: UoM China Centre at AmCham Shanghai's 2026 Leadership Conference
The University of Manchester China Centre is thrilled to be part of the 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference hosted by The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai), connecting with outstanding leaders and professionals. Highlights included our Founding Director, Dr Sherry Fu, speaking on the panel “The Systems We Build: How Organizations Enable Women to Rise.”
We loved sharing how our Global MBA supports leadership growth with the audience.
Read more »
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Beyond the Book: Finding Meaning & Resilience in Education
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What happens when an architect, a centre director, and a life coach walk into a room? They don’t just talk about a book. They begin a conversation about life itself.
On Saturday, 11 April, the Manchester China Centre hosted a truly special sharing session that went far beyond the pages of Nineteen. We were honoured to welcome back renowned architect and author Mr Adam Robarts for an in-depth conversation with Ms Sherry Fu, Director of the Manchester China Centre, and Ms Wu Jingfan, an ICF-certified PCC life coach.
This was not a standard author event. Instead of simply dissecting the narrative, our speakers explored the deeper questions that concern every international education family. From three unique lenses—a father, an architect who has designed major educational spaces (including contributions to Manchester Business School), and a cross-cultural professional—they examined the true meaning of life and the role of mental growth in education.
The discussion journeyed through powerful concepts: from acceptance and companionship to detachment, mindfulness, and ultimately, joy.
We were delighted to welcome a wonderfully diverse and engaged audience. An education expert travelled all the way from Qingdao to join us, alongside Manchester alumni, their families, and even a special ten-year-old guest.
Seeing different generations gather in one room—listening, resonating, and learning together—was a powerful reminder that the essence of education is never just about knowledge transfer. It is about shared humanity and resilience.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this deeply thoughtful and warm afternoon. We look forward to seeing you at our next MCloud Reading event.
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Manchester Alumni Singles Social: Love begins with connection.
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The University of Manchester China Centre warmly invites single Manchester alumni to join our annual 520 special gathering — an evening designed for meaningful conversations, fun interaction, and new possibilities.
📅 Date: Friday, 22 May
🕢 Time: 19:30–21:30
📍 Venue: The University of Manchester China Centre
💰 Fee: RMB 128 per person (includes light refreshments)
✨ What to expect
• Guided ice-breaking activities to help you connect naturally
• MBTI-based interaction sessions
• Bingo networking games
• Table games and prize quiz challenges
• Relaxed tea and snack social time
To ensure a balanced experience, male participants registering together with a friend can enjoy a 20% discount.
📌 Important notes
• This event is exclusive to University of Manchester alumni
• Participants must currently be single
• Registration information (programme and year of entry) will be verified
• Places are limited and subject to confirmation after review
• Advance registration is required (no walk-ins)
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Read more »
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China Centre Continues to Deliver Globally Relevant Learning Experiences in Shanghai
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From 18–20 April, Global MBA students came together at The University of Manchester China Centre for an intensive three-day face-to-face workshop on Strategic Supply Chain Management, expertly led by Professor David Bamford. What truly embodied our global mindset? Two-thirds of the participants were senior executives representing Global Centres in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai, creating a uniquely diverse and cross-cultural learning environment. Rich, insightful discussions unfolded across procurement strategies, logistics, and supplier relationship management, blending global perspectives with real-world industry challenges.
After the workshop, Professor Bamford delivered an open lecture titled: Managing Strategic Intent: From Inspiration to Communication: a “how-to” guide at the Centre. This open lecture explored how leaders can develop strategic operational intent that genuinely supports decision-making across teams and functions.
We extend our sincere thanks to Professor Bamford for his exceptional guidance, and to every participant for bringing valuable industry insights, practical challenges, and innovative solutions to the programme.
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From Idea to Impact: Celebrating 2 Years of the UoM Alumni Speaking Club
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Some stories begin with a single conversation. Others begin with a single sentence spoken aloud in a room full of friends.
On 4 April, the University of Manchester China Centre hosted a very special celebration: the 2nd anniversary of the UoM Alumni Speaking Club.
What started as a spark of passion from a handful of dedicated alumni has grown into something remarkable. In just two years, the club has blossomed into a vibrant, thriving community:
• 200+ members and growing
• 18 inspiring events hosted
• Countless stories shared, voices strengthened, and connections forged
The Speaking Club is more than just a place to practice public speaking. It is a warm, supportive space where Manchester alumni come to:
• Inspire one another with authentic stories and diverse perspectives
• Connect across industries, generations, and life experiences
• Grow — not just as professionals, but as confident, reflective individuals
As one member shared during the celebration: "This club gave me the courage to find my voice. And once you find it, you never lose it."
The University of Manchester China Centre is incredibly proud of what this alumni-led community has achieved. We extend our deepest gratitude to the founding members, every speaker who has taken the stage, and every attendee who has listened, cheered, and asked thoughtful questions.
Here is to the next 18 events. The next 200 members. And the next two years of inspiration, connection, and growth.
Inspire. Connect. Grow. Together.
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Courage, Perseverance & Transcendence: A Dialogue with Two Extraordinary Women
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What does courage look like? Sometimes, it looks like standing at the base of the world's highest mountain, knowing the air will thin with every step. Other times, it looks like walking into a new industry, knowing you must rebuild everything from scratch.
On 3 April, the University of Manchester China Centre witnessed both. We were honoured to host two extraordinary women for a conversation that left no one in the room unchanged.
🌹 Ms Han Zijun – The first Chinese woman to summit Mount Everest from both the north and south routes. Her story is not merely one of physical endurance, but of a quiet, relentless truth: resilience and passion know no age limits. Whether facing avalanches or the inner voice that whispers "turn back," Han Zijun has proven that the summit is not a destination – it is a choice, made again and again.
🌹 Ms Serena Yu – Partner at CGL Consulting and a Global MBA alumna of The University of Manchester. Across industries and through career transitions, Serena has rebuilt herself with a constant upward drive. Her journey shows that professional transformation is not about avoiding failure – it is about recalibrating direction in change and reshaping oneself in challenge.
What Unites Them
At first glance, a mountaineer and a business leader walk different paths. But as the dialogue unfolded, a shared truth emerged.
What unites Han Zijun and Serena Yu is not simply excellence – though both possess it in abundance.
It is courage.
The courage to calibrate direction when the path shifts. The courage to reshape oneself when the old shape no longer fits. The courage to say, "I will keep going – not because it is easy, but because the view from the other side is worth everything."
To everyone who joined us that day: thank you for bringing your questions, your openness, and your own quiet courage. It was a privilege to witness such honest, powerful storytelling.
And to Han Zijun and Serena Yu: thank you for reminding us that whether we are climbing mountains or climbing career ladders, the climb is always, always worth it.
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| Navigating Change: Career Wisdom from MBA Alumna
On 17 April, we hosted a Manchester Global MBA Alumni Sharing session featuring Ms Wu Jing, a distinguished alumna and Vice President of Public Affairs at UPS China.
Drawing on her deep experience in the global logistics industry, Wu Jing shared practical strategies for professional transformation in times of change. From navigating corporate cycles to achieving career progression during "workforce optimisation," her personal journey offered rare insight into how an MBA mindset can turn uncertainty into opportunity.
Our prospective students left with not just inspiration, but actionable frameworks for their own career pivots.
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| Educational Leadership Luncheon: Resilience in International Education
On 18 April, we gathered again in Beijing – this time for an Educational Leadership Luncheon focused on a pressing question: How can international educators turn uncertainty into career certainty in China's changing education landscape?
We were joined by Mr Struan Mathieson, Academic Director of the High School at Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy and an ELiP student at the University of Manchester. Drawing on his extensive experience as an international educator in China, Struan shared how leadership resilience can help navigate policy shifts, institutional change, and evolving family expectations – unlocking new career opportunities along the way.
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| Where Values Meet Action: A Beijing Visit to Daystar Academy and the Qi Social Innovation Centre
On Friday, 17 March, Centre Director Sherry Fu led a visit to Daystar Academy and the Qi Social Innovation Centre in Beijing. The school’s integrated focus on social innovation across its curriculum and daily practices was truly impressive, closely aligning with the core values of social responsibility upheld by The University of Manchester and the University of Manchester China Centre.
We are delighted that both the Head of School, Daniel Williams, Ph.D. and the Executive Director of the Qi Centre, Becky Zhang, are proud alumni of The University of Manchester!
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