The Nottingham China Campaign was launched recently at a Chinese themed gala show and business reception at the Albert Hall in Nottingham.
The Nottingham China Campaign has been developed by the City Council in conjunction with a wide range of local partners who have come together to establish the Nottingham China Forum.
Strengthening Nottingham-China links
Designed to increase linkages between the city and China, the Nottingham China Campaign has a number of aims. These include promoting inward investment to Nottingham, exploring opportunities for local businesses to trade with China, developing cultural links and promoting entrepreneurial activities between Nottingham and China.
The gala event to launch the Campaign was hosted by Pro Vice Chancellor International, Professor Hai-Sui Yu and organised by the University’s Asia Business Centre. Representatives of the City Council, Nottingham Trent University, The University of Nottingham and a number of business partners were also in attendance.
Mr Li Guoqiang, the First Secretary of the Education Section of the Chinese Embassy was one of the special guests at the event, and praised the development of relations between China and the University.
A decade of partnerships with Ningbo
Chris Henning, Head of Economic Development at the Nottingham City Council, commented: “The Chinese community is now one of the fastest growing in the city making up 2% of our population. This percentage is higher than London, Birmingham and Liverpool.
“This year Nottingham celebrates 10 years of sister city relationship with Ningbo. Thanks to the University of Nottingham’s campus in Ningbo, our city has an incredible foot hold in China.”
After the official launch of the Nottingham China Campaign, guests were treated to a charity gala show to raise funds and awareness for Life Cycle 5, which this year is raising money for dementia research.
Fundraising for dementia
Life Cycle 5, the University’s main charitable campaign, was introduced at the reception by Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Hai-Sui Yu. Life Cycle 5 aims to raise £350,000 to apply the University’s world-leading expertise in MRI scanning to the study of dementia and other degenerative conditions of the brain.
Artists performing at the gala show included dancers, bands and singers from across the UK. One of those taking part was Min Rose, from The University of Nottingham, who was singing songs from her album, 'Stray Birds', the proceeds of which are being donated to the Life Cycle 5 campaign.
Professor Hai-Sui Yu commented: “I am delighted that this event has allowed the University to raise awareness among city council representatives and our business partners for Life Cycle 5, which focuses on the University’s dementia research. This will go a long way in helping the University reach its fundraising target.”
Large Chinese comminity
Jason Feehily, Head of the Asia Business Centre at the University, added: “I am very pleased with the turnout for our China gala show, which is particularly important to us as we have a large Chinese community here in Nottingham and close ties with China. I am confident that the University will continue working together with our partners in various industries, as we strive to further strengthen our ties with China.”
For more information about the University’s LifeCycle 5 campaign, visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/lifecycle
For find out more about the The University of Nottingham’s links with China, and the Nottingham China Campaign, contact jason.feehily@nottingham.ac.uk
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university in the UK among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World’s Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future