A delegation of top UK government officials visited the Sino-British College in Shanghai on 1st April.
The delegation was led by Claire Durkin, Head of International Knowledge and Innovation (Global), Department for Business Innovation & Skills. Members of the delegation included Frazer MacDonald, Head of Asia-Pacific, International Knowledge & Innovation Unit (Global), Department for Business Innovation & Skills, Holly White, Regional Head, Science and Innovation Network, Asia Pacific, Matt Knowles, Area Director, British Council (East China) and Consul (Culture and Education) and Jazreel Goh, Director East Asia and Regional Business Director (Education Services), British Council.
On behalf of the College, Professor John Wilson, Principal and CEO, and Professor Linda Liu, Vice-Dean of SBC, extended a warm welcome to the delegation. The officials were also met by Gordon Callan, Director of Teaching and Learning, Andy Ritchie, Assistant Director, UK Degree Programmes and Dr Vernon Sommerfeldt and Dr James Abbott, Heads of School-Designate.
Following a campus tour, Professor Wilson gave a brief introduction on the history and recent development of SBC. Thoughts and ambitions of the College for future development were discussed as outlined in the draft Vision 2025, in particular on the scope and level of academic portfolio to be offered by SBC, more engagement with local and international community with continued support from USST and the nine partner universities in the UK, and commitment to enhancing the overall student experience by providing an even better learning environment fully to capitalise on our location in central Shanghai. The delegation was also informed that, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of SBC, a series of celebratory events would be held throughout the year with presence of senior colleagues invited from the Chinese and British Governments, partner universities and other external organisations.
In response, members of the delegation expressed that the success, academically and socially, that SBC had achieved over the last ten years was extremely impressive. It is believed that with the continuing commitment and support from partners in China and the UK, SBC will be able to make even greater achievements, not only in terms of international education, but also contributing to the social development of China by providing quality graduates with a strong academic background and an international outlook.
