2018 Awards Ceremonies were hosted by the Sino-British College (SBC), University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST) on 25th and 26th July to celebrate the academic and social achievements made by graduates. Over 200 graduating students who have studied in BA (Hons) Business Management，BA (Hons) Events Management, BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Systems Engineering and BEng (Hons) Industrial Electronics and Control Engineering at SBC attended the events together with their families and friends.
Senior representatives from SBC/USST and its UK partner universities who attended the celebrations included: Professor Ding Xiaodong, President of USST, Professor Tian Weifeng, Vice-President of USST, Professor Peter Byers, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Professor Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor of University of Huddersfield, Dr Malcolm Butler, Director of Global Engagement, The University of Sheffield, Professor Andrew Simpson, Associate Dean for External Relations and Internationalisation, the University of Sheffield, Professor Roger Eccleston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, Dr Mark Brewer, Assistant Sheffield Business School, Professor Zhou Xizhao, Dean of Business School of USST, Associate Professor Qian Wei, Vice Dean of school of Mechanical Engineering of USST, Professor Yang Hui, Vice Dean of school of Optical-Electrical and Computer, Engineering school of USST, Professor Laura Bishop Incoming Principal of SBC, Li Yan, Secretary of Joint General Party Branch, Fuxing Campus of USST, Professor Linda Liu, Vice Dean and Interim Principal of SBC, Xu Lin, Associate Dean of Administration of SBC.
Members of the academic teams from SBC and the partner universities were also invited to join the academic procession and shared the joy of graduation of their own students.
Xu Lin, Associate Dean of Administration of SBC hosted the ceremony and Professor Linda Liu, Vice Dean and Interim Principal of SBC, read the roll of graduates at the beginning of the ceremony. Each graduate walked across the stage to receive their certificates and pose for photos with professors.
During the ceremony, Professor Ding Xiaodong, President of USST said in his speech, “In this year, USST has been selected into the list of national high-level universities. With its internationalized education philosophy, SBC regards responsible leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, and cultural interaction as key features of its provision and it achieves high academic standards and a competitive advantage from its close cooperation with our partner universities. Consequently, it has trained a group of international talents with both industry background and senior management knowledge of science and engineering, business and management.At this moment of parting, I invite you to consider the following：First, be pragmatic, be proactive. As a young adult, you are full of passion and perseverance. Second, be diligent, commit to innovation. Diligence is the traditional Chinese virtue. Third, chase your dream, stick to conscience. I wish all of you to brave the wind and waves and open another brilliant chapter in the new journey.”
Professor Tian Weifeng, Vice-President of USST said in her speech, “SBC has witnessed your growth in the past four years. Under the elite international talent training pattern in the College, you all have achieved a great transformation, from exam-oriented learning to interest-oriented learning and to the current life-plan learning, from a passive learning style to positive learning style and to the current research-oriented learning style, and from a student to an adult and to an international citizen.”
Professor Peter Byers, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) of LJMU said in his speech,“Liverpool John Moores University is extremely proud of our partnership with USST and the Sino-British College – which is now more than a decade old and one of the pioneering collaborations in international higher education. As graduands you have chosen to benefit from a unique international and cross-cultural experience, and my colleagues and I are privileged to be here in Shanghai to present this special ceremony to celebrate and recognise your achievements. As a graduate of Liverpool John Moores University you will be open to new experiences and opportunities.You are all here today because you are have applied your intelligence and used your talents, and now you will go out into the world and make a difference in the world.”
Professor Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor of University of Huddersfield said in his speech,“It is in fact 12 years ago that my University in the UK began to deliver the BA Events Management course here – as part of a joint venture with USST – and it is thriving connection that makes us very proud. And you, this year’s graduates are the focus of that pride. But they are also an opportunity to pause and give thanks, not only to the college staff who have guided and supported your educational experience, but to all the others who have helped you – parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, husbands, wives, partners, girlfriends and boyfriends. ”
Dr Malcolm Butler, Director of Global Engagement, The University of Sheffield said in his speech, “Congratulations, you have joined a worldwide family of Sheffield graduates today.You have already chosen a different path from most of your school friends by choosing to follow a degree with international content. Continue to build on that difference and stand out from the crowd as a proud Sheffield and USST graduate.”
Professor Roger Eccleston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University said in his speech, “Graduation is a very important milestone in your lives and today's ceremony is a tribute to you hard work and enthusiasm for learning. It is a privilege to be here to see those of you who are about to graduate, having worked so hard, celebrating your success, being rightly proud of what you have achieved and excited by your future possibilities. You are graduating into a world in which the success of nations, the flexibility to respond to change and the ability to live, work and study in a global context. All of you who are graduating today have the opportunity to achieve great things in your lives and careers.”
Professor Laura Bishop, Incoming Principal of SBC, said: “I am the incoming Principal of the Sino British College, and it is my happy first duty to be here for your graduation and to help you, your guests and your families celebrate on this important day. But graduation is not only an end, it is a beginning. This is why graduation ceremonies are also called ‘commencement exercises’. This is really the first day of a new beginning for you as degree holders and graduates, holding a prized qualification which will stand you in good stead for future employment, study and life beyond this college. We wish you well and hope that you have a successful life. We at SBC are privileged to know that we played a part in your education and thus preparing you for that life. We hope to share in your success.”
Pan Jie, BEng(Hons)Engineering major, Wang Dongyu, BA(Hons)Events Management major, Yu Jiaxue and Li Shuen, BA(Hons)Business Management major, spoke at the 2018 Graduation Ceremony as graduate representatives.”
After the ceremony, all the graduates and teachers took a group photo on the green lawn in front of the library. The 2018 Graduation Ceremony drew to a successful close, with everyone feeling joyous and happy.
