In March 2026 we’re bringing the Challenge Accepted campaign – championing volunteering and fundraising – to China.
Beijing: Monday, 16 March 2026
Shanghai: Wednesday, 18 March 2026

We stand at a defining moment. 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. And they’re being built right here in Manchester.
Join us in March 2026！

This October, The University of Manchester China Centre in Shanghai welcomed Global MBA students from around the world for a series of immersive elective workshops — a true celebration of international learning and cultural exchange.

At the China Centre, three elective courses were delivered this October:

•Negotiation Skills (NSKS) led by Dr. Judit Csiszar (16–18 October)

•Venture Capital & Private Equity (VCPE) led by Dr. David Pattison (19–21 October)

•International Business Strategy (IBS) led by Dr. Marie-Aimée Tourres (23–25 October)

The workshops brought together 26 students from 15 countries and regions — including Peru, Chile, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, and Georgia. Around 85% of participants were international students, creating a vibrant and globally diverse classroom.

On 26 October, Dr. Marie Tourres delivered an insightful Global MBA workshop taster for working professionals in Shanghai. She shared her expertise on developing a global vision for Chinese international business, and offered valuable perspectives on balancing optimism with realism in today’s global landscape.

On 19 October, David Pattison, lecturer at Alliance Manchester Business School and an experienced investor, delivered a Global MBA masterclass at China Centre, themed Innovation & Investor Risk.

On 23 September, the University of Manchester China Centre hosted an MSc Financial Management Masterclass, featuring Jonathan Clark from Alliance Manchester Business School. In this keynote session, Jonathan shared insights into how finance can support strategic decision-making, achieve sustainable outcomes, and help organisations build more resilient competitive advantages.

On 16 September, 2025, the University of Manchester China Centre hosted a Global Part-time MBA Masterclass, featuring Professor Paul Taaffe on the theme: “Global Innovation Strategies for a Complex World.”

With over 30 years of international practical experience, Professor Taaffe shared actionable frameworks and practical tools to help business leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs navigate global complexity, drive innovation, and lead successful transformation.

On 12 September, China Centre hosted an open lecture led by Professor Richard Audas, PhD, Visiting Research Fellow at Alliance Manchester Business School, as he explores the critical role of evidence in evaluating innovation. With decades of experience across economics, health statistics, and policy research, Professor Audas shared insights on how rigorous evidence and analysis can help leaders make better decisions in complex and uncertain environments.

On 18 July, China Centre and the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai cordially co-hosted an exclusive Breakfast Talk with Prof. Duncan R. Shaw, a distinguished expert in Data Strategy & Digital Business Models. Author of Managing Emerging Data Technologies: Theory and Practice, Sage Publications.

In this session, Prof. Shaw explored how leaders can align business decisions, digital capabilities, and customer needs in an AI-driven future.

On 4 December 2025, Ms. Sherry Fu, Founding Director of the University of Manchester China Centre, and her delegation were invited to visit Chengdu Longquanyi Beanstalk School (BIBS Chengdu). Mr. Graham Turner, Foreign Head of Schools, hosted the reception and extended a warm welcome to the delegation. 

On 20 November 2025, the CFA Institute, CFA Society Chengdu, and The University of Manchester China Centre jointly hosted a closed-door roundtable discussion themed “Navigating Global Frontiers – Strategy, Compliance, and Sustainable Growth.”

This session will bring together experts from finance, law, and industry to explore how businesses can adapt to global transformations and identify new growth opportunities.

On 7 November 2025, Sherry Fu, Founding Director of The University of Manchester China Centre, along with Senior Course Counsellor Crystal Cheng, visited Xiamen ECNU Xiping Bilingual School.

The following day, the UoM China Centre invited two alumni—Roy Fang, Study Abroad Director of GEDU Fujian and a current student of the MA ELiP, and Connie Zhou, former HR Director of International Schools and Founder of Xiamen ZHL International Education Co., Ltd., a graduate of the University’s MSc in Human Resource Management—to join a gathering with local international education practitioners.

On 2 November, the China Centre hosted an alumni sharing session, which featured Joey Zhao, Vice President of Beijing Xinpianchang Media and a Manchester Global MBA alumna, who shared​ insights into how creativity and cultural understanding empower Brand China to go global through real-world cases from the fashion industry and cross-border collaborations.

On 18 October, China Centre hosted an alumni sharing session in Beijing, featureing Global MBA alumna Ms. Michelle Liu, Talent and Culture Director, BEA Asia, and ELiP student Ms. Helen Li, Director of the International Department, Niulanshan First Secondary School Beijing. Our two alumni speakers, from corporate and educational sectors, shared their unique journeys of leveraging their Manchester part-time learning to gain new perspectives, tackle complex challenges, and strategically propel their careers to the next level. 

On 7 August, China Centre hosted an alumni sharing afternoon tea session in Beijing, featuring Ms. Xi Lu, who graduated from the University's Educational Leadership Master's, on the discussion of leadership transformation strategies for the AI era.

On the evening of 6 December, the China ceremony for the "2026 Study UK Alumni Awards” by the British Council was held in Beijing. Wang Miao, an alumna of The University of Manchester and the Founder & Executive Director of Haikou Better Blue Marine Conservation Centre, was honoured with the "Social Action Award" in recognition of her outstanding contributions to marine conservation, demonstrating the University's profound commitment to nurturing global civic leaders.

On 5 December, UoM China Centre, UoM Alumni Association Sichuan Chapter, CD Financial Service Chamber of Commerce, Chengdu No. 7 High School International Department Alumni Association and other associations co-hosted an alumni panel themed Growth Strategies for a Reshaped Global Capital Landscape.

On 18 November, the third site visit of the ESG Alumni Corporate Visit Series, organised by the University of Manchester China Centre, was successfully held. Nearly 20 alumni visited Covestro’s Asia Pacific Innovation Centre, where they discussed how material technology can enable sustainable development.

To mark the 60th anniversary of Alliance Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester China Centre launched a special ESG alumni visit series. Each stop explored how alumni are implementing ESG principles in practice.

The second visit, "Going Green: Alumni ESG Innovation & Sustainable Living", featured a tour of sustainable brand SAFONE, the "Good to Rainforest" Exhibition, and a discussion on responsible consumption.

On 19 July, the inaugural session of the University of Manchester China Centre’s Alumni Corporate Visit Series was successfully held at the Shanghai office of Carbon Newture. Over 40 alumni from the University of Manchester attended the event.

Arthur Huang, Founder and CEO of Carbon Newture, welcomed the alumni guests and led a tour of the company’s offices. The visit was also attended by Sherry Fu, Director of the University of Manchester China Centre; Ismail Ertürk, Professor at Alliance Manchester Business School; as well as GMBA and Doctor of Management alum Xiaohu Qiao, who all participated in a roundtable discussion.