Broadcasting across continents and time zones, educational partners come together to mark major achievements.
Not even a worldwide pandemic could stop the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) celebrating two notable anniversaries with one of its important international Chinese partners.
Via a live Zoom broadcast from the Songjiang Campus of the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE), senior staff from both institutions celebrated together to mark the 20th anniversary of the UCLan/SUIBE partnership, alongside the 60th anniversary of SUIBE as an institution.
Speeches from representatives of both institutions were interspersed with pre-recorded videos from former staff members and students together with award presentations and the culmination, the ceremonial cutting of a huge cake.
In a speech during the event, UCLan Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin recognised the outstanding contributions and achievements made by so many towards the partnership’s success.
“The ability of both institutions to adapt during these challenging times has been extraordinary,” said Professor Baldwin. “The testimonies we have heard today from former students confirms what a great reputation our joint programme enjoys with employers.
“I know we all share a vision to continue the initiative’s success long into the future and colleagues at UCLan look forward to working with those at SUIBE to drive development and keep the programme fresh and relevant for the next generation of Chinese students.”
"“I know we all share a vision to continue the initiative’s success long into the future and colleagues at UCLan look forward to working with those at SUIBE to drive development and keep the programme fresh and relevant for the next generation of Chinese students."
— UCLan Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin
The first collaborative agreement between the two partners was signed in 2001 under SUIBE’s former name, the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade. Since that time the joint programme has seen a total of over 2,000 students study on UCLan programmes both in Shanghai and Preston.
Visiting scholars from SUIBE come to UCLan every semester for professional development purposes, undertaking research, observing teaching and taking higher qualifications. UCLan welcomes up to four scholars (or secondees) each semester, hosted by the School of Humanities, Language and Global Studies, with more than 80 secondees benefitting to date from this cultural exchange opportunity.
A joint awards ceremony is held annually in June at SUIBE, attended by the UCLan Vice-Chancellor - it is planned that post-Covid this ceremony will be reinstated.
