The Sino-British College (SBC), University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST) recently hosted two Graduation Ceremonies on the 20th and 27th July respectively. The celebrations marked the third cohort of SBC/USST students completing a full UK bachelor’s degree taught entirely in English in Shanghai.
The two pioneering UK institutions who launched full degrees at SBC celebrating graduates’ success with SBC are the University of Huddersfield, offering the Events Management degree, and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), offering degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Industrial Electronics and Control.
Eligible students also had their USST degrees conferred during these ceremonies.
A total of 65 students graduating from SBC in Events Management and 63 in Engineering joined the celebrations with their family and friends. Another 20 Chinese students who completed courses at Huddersfield and LJMU were also awarded degree certificates at the ceremony.
The Liverpool John Moores University graduation ceremony was held on the morning of the 20th July. The ceremony was chaired by Dr Edward Harcourt, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) of the University. Professor Ian Jenkinson, Director of the School of Engineering, Technology and Maritime Operations and Dr Russell English, Principal Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering also attended the ceremony.
The University of Huddersfield awards ceremony was held on the 27th July. The ceremony was chaired by Professor Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor (President) of Huddersfield University. The ceremony was also attended by Professor Colin Bamford, Associate Dean of the Business School and Claudia Bordogna, Lecturer in Stadium and Arena Management.
Professor Hu Shougen, President of USST and Professor Chen Bin, Vice President, attended and conferred the USST degrees to eligible students.
Professor Ian Gow OBE, Principal and CEO of SBC, Professor Ma Xiaoting, Vice Dean and Colin Wanmer, Deputy Principal (Academic) and Director of the School of Business and Communication also joined the academic procession and shared the joy of graduation of their own students with other academic and administrative staff from SBC.
Distinguished guests at this year’s Graduation Ceremonies included Mr. Matt Burney, Director of the British Council Shanghai and Consul (Cultural and Education) of the British Consulate General Shanghai, Mrs Katy Gow, President of the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Shanghai and senior representatives from industry corporate partners of SBC.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES
After having studied at SBC for three years, four international students from the US, South Korea and Zambia were awarded undergraduate degrees in Engineering and Events Management at the graduation ceremonies. This marks the first group of international students who have successfully completed the full UK Bachelor’s degrees at SBC in Shanghai.
SBC offers a gateway to British higher education and is committed to enhancing internationalisation as a major strategy for future development. In addition to its already international syllabus and academic team, another vital element is internationalisation of the student body. Currently SBC, has enrolled more than 130 international students from 34 countries all over the world. This has had a great impact on student life at SBC, all in a positive way, especially by encouraging more English speaking student activities and class room discussions and by promoting cultural diversity on campus.
Lee Seo-Bin, a South Korean student graduating in Engineering said: “I feel lucky to have had the chance of studying at SBC. Apart from being able to study for a British degree in Shanghai, I had a great time with teachers and classmates from all over the world.”
STRONG EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
According to statistics from the SBC Careers Service and Development Centre, nearly 90% of the final year students to date have received offers either for jobs or for postgraduate study in world-class universities.
As of the 31st July, 44 of our students have been offered places for Master’s study in China or abroad. Over 70% of these have been accepted (with conditional offers) by highly ranked universities in the UK, including University College London, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield and the University of Edinburgh. Some will also go on to study at excellent universities in countries including the USA, Canada and Australia.
A number of graduates with outstanding academic achievements will go on to work at multinational companies, including Cui Anbo from Electrical and Electronic Engineering who has recently been offered a position at Deloitte for Audit Services. Deloitte is a leading brand under Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), a UK private company, providing audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax services to selected clients throughout the world.
Cui Anbo said in her speech at the awards ceremony: “At SBC, we are encouraged to focus on all-round self-development, not just on homework and examinations. I think the lives and practices in SBC will lay the foundation for realizing our dreams and for making a success of our career.”
SMART AND SOCIALLY AWARE
Students at SBC have been taking an active role in charitable causes by organising and fundraising and working closely with various companies and non-profit organisations. They have volunteered in a wide range of events and activities both on and off campus.
In addition, all students graduating in Events Management have put on live events for charities and other organisations. These events have included the Shanghai Centre Family Fun Day, the USST Cultural Park Music and Cultural Festival, the CNY Annual Dinner and the SBC Students’ Union football final, as well as many others within the business and social community of Shanghai. SBC believes that helping those less privileged than themselves is an important additional key to achieving a ‘harmonious Society’ for 21st Century China.
