On 16 September, the establishment of the Ningbo Chapter of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) Alumni Association and the Alumni Donation Ceremony hosted by the UNNC’s Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) was held on campus. Leaders from the Ningbo Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Professor Nick Miles, Provost of UNNC, Professor Sam Shen, Secretary of the Party Committee of UNNC and Chairman of UNNC Education Foundation, Professor Phillip Seltsikas, the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning at UNNC, Professor Tao Wu, UNNC Vice Provost and Dean of Faculty of Science and Engineering, James Birkett, UNNC Registrar all witnessed the ceremony alongside over 100 members of the alumni community joining from a variety of industries.

Faculty leaders and representatives from Careers and Employability Service, Business Development Office, Sports Department, Research and Knowledge Exchange, UNNC Li Dak Sum Incubator and staffers from Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) were also present, setting up a number of interactive booths to engage with alumni guests. The event also saw a frisbee game set up by alumni entrepreneurs.

Niu Hongbo, member of the party group, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the Ningbo Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, congratulated the establishment of the UNNC Ningbo Alumni Chapter, and expressed his expectations for the strengthening of cooperation between the city of Ningbo and UNNC in a wider range of fields. He further expressed his hopes that both sides will be able to work together to contribute more to the exchange and development of China and the UK in the fields of education, culture and economy.

The Ningbo Alumni Chapter Ceremony was solely to formally establish the chapter, but also to celebrate the creation of a platform that represents connectivity, collaboration and shared achievements. 2024 marks the 20 years since the opening of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. The establishment of this chapter therefore also underscores the continued engagement and spirit of the university, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to providing an excellent education, preparing global citizens, and shaping lives for the future since its 2004 opening.

The university is looking forward to involving the alumni community in the 20th celebrations, every step of the way. In his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Professor Nick Miles said, "Our alumni are spread across the globe and have achieved a great deal in their respective fields. The Alumni Chapter will foster collaboration, innovation and progress, expanding their reach and serving as a link to connect old friends, forge new partnerships and give back to the university community." 

Chapter Chair Ji Liang and Chenran An commented: “We feel a strong sense of obligation to give back to the university that provided us with a valuable education. With the approaching 20th anniversary of UNNC, we saw an opportunity to create a platform that would enable fellow alumni to connect, engage and support each other as well as the local community in Ningbo. We would like to invite everyone to join us as we work towards creating a better future for ourselves and our community.”

At the donation ceremony, alumna Chen Han, co-president of the chapter, made a generous donation of RMB 1 million to establish the Chen Han Fund, which will support the future development of the university through the Li Dak Sum Incubator.

She also shared some words, saying: “Innovation is the driving force behind social progress. I hope to establish a Fund to support innovative ideas and academic achievements.” She also expressed that UNNC had played a crucial role in her educational journey and personal growth and hopes that through this donation, she can give back to her alma mater and help more students bravely pursue their innovative dreams, contributing to the development of the university and society.

Professor Sam Shen accepted the donation on behalf of the university, and expressed his gratitude to Chen Han for her generous support. He said: “The support provided by Ms Chen Han represents a comprehensive investment in the future generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Together, we will nurture a generation of talented individuals who embody creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for making a positive impact on society.”

The establishment of the Ningbo Alumni Chapter not only provides a platform for alumni to communicate and cooperate with each other, but also builds a solid bridge for close interactions between the University of Nottingham Ningbo and its alumni. Alumni will have the opportunity to enhance their occupational skills and knowledge by participating in activities including regular lectures and seminars exploring cutting-edge technologies, community service development projects to help the underprivileged as well as the flagship Alumni Mentorship Programme. The establishment of a local chapter also facilitates work in supporting local economy development and civic engagement.

The goals of the University of Nottingham Ningbo Alumni Association go beyond the establishment of the Ningbo Chapter and the 20th anniversary celebration. In the days and years to come, we will continue collaborating with our hundreds of thousands of alumni across the globe to realise a strong and inclusive Nottingham community. Encouraging and mobilising our international network to support the university community both at home and abroad with time, expertise and resources, we will continue to advance knowledge and change lives through taking action.