Winners of British Council UK Alumni Awards Announced in China
BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach
- 13 December 2021 - The British Council announced
on 11 December 2021 the recipients of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2021-22 in CHINA
at a ceremony in Beijing. In total, 11 UK alumni in China were shortlisted for
their outstanding achievements as business professionals, entrepreneurs and
community leaders, and for their contribution to strengthening ties between the
UK and China.
Group photo of Leina Shi,
Education Director, British Council China and finalists
Leina Shi – Education Director, British Council China,
opening speech
Christina
Scott, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Beijing, with 2 finalists
of Science and Sustainability award
Following in-depth interviews with a judging panel, recipients were
selected for the four award categories: Science and Sustainability Award,
Culture and Creativity Award, Social Action Award, and Business and Innovation
Award.
The prestigious international award celebrates UK higher education
and the achievements of UK alumni all over the world. Now in its eighth year,
the award received more than 1,500 applications from international UK alumni in
more than 100 countries, representing more than 140 UK higher education
institutions across the UK.
Science and Sustainability Award was
presented to He
Baihuiqian, a graduate of University of Edinburgh. Hebaihuiqian is an atmospheric
scientist with research interests that lie primarily in urban-scale air
pollution modelling and using modelling results to inform both the public and
policy makers on human exposure to air pollutants and ultimately help them
mitigate or avoid significant negative impacts.
Upon receiving the award, He Baihuiqian noted, 'This award carries a strong
and long-term responsibility and I hope I don't disappoint my alma mater The University of Edinburgh. I look forward to
seeing more people devoted to science and sustainable development, and making
contributions together.'
Culture and Creativity Award was presented to Xie Yi, a graduate of King's College London. Yi Xie is a pioneer in
immersive entertainment industry between UK and China. As Representative in
China for Society of London Theatre (SoLT), Yi has produced a few world-class
licensed immersive theatres in China, had has been selected as senior associate
by China Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, China National
Innovation Alliance and Shanghai Cultural and Creative Association.
Xie Yi noted, 'I thank the British Council for hosting this event
so I can be connected with so many brilliant souls. A big thanks to my schools
-- University of Westminster and Kings College London, for filling me with
knowledge and skills that I benefit from every day in my career. I am grateful
for my family and friends for supporting me in exploring this immersive
industry from the beginning of my journey. I also want to give a huge thanks to
all of the collaborators and colleagues in the UK and China, without whom I
cannot achieve anything on the record.'
The Social Action award was presented to Chen
Zemin, a graduate of University of Manchester. Dr.
Chen Zemin has been working in the UK higher education for over 10 years since
2009 and she created UCLan Online in 2017 to link UK universities with
students, alumni, industry, and online learners, now with 250,000 followers.
UCLan Online also won third place in the Educational Links category at the
Department for International Trade (DIT) Greater China Awards in 2018 for
honouring organisations that have contributed to developing business or relationships
with China.
Chen Zemin noted, 'I was so privileged to receive the "UK Alumni Awards-Social
Action Award", many thanks to the British Council, the University of
Central Lancashire and The University of Manchester. I can't believe it's been 16 years since I
first went to the UK, it's definitely been a life-changing journey.'
The Business and Innovation award was presented to Wang Wen, a graduate of University of Aberdeen. Wang Wen is the CEO&CMO of IASO BIO, a global clinical-stage biotechnology
company with 400+ employees, operating at China and US, dedicated to developing
breakthrough cell therapies treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. With $178
Mn USD capital fund raised since 2017, he is leading the company going public
and launching the Chinese 1st BCMA-CART therapy to the market
treating cancer patients soon.
Wang
Wan noted, 'My first gratitude goes to the British Council for providing this
brilliant opportunity so that I can stand here. Studying in UK the best choice
I have made throughout in my whole life. My second gratitude goes to the
University of Aberdeen and those who helped me during my way of growth,
especially to my supervisor, Dr. Julie Crockett, who helped me a lot. Lastly, my third gratitude goes to my family
and my wife.'
Matt Burney, Country Director at the British Council in China, spoke
through the video that "It is our mission to connect people to life changing
opportunities the UK has to offer. The success stories of a handful of some of
the 750,000 Chinese alumni that have studied in the UK and that have
contributed to building the people to people bridge that help us move forward
through thick and thin. You are the embodiment of the ties that exist between
our two countries."
Leina Shi, Director of
Education at the British Council in China, said: "It allows us to celebrate the role
international students play in making the UK one of the most diverse, dynamic
and rewarding higher education destinations for international study. It also
allows us to recognise the achievements and contributions our alumni from China
have made to their communities. The UK cares deeply about celebrating their
success, and while they no longer study and live in Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, they somehow remain connected to it.
China is the second country to host the awards this year and
will be followed by awarding ceremonies in a further 23 countries, including India,
Armenia and Qatar.
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About the Study UK Alumni Awards
The Alumni Awards were developed by the British Council and UK
universities, and were launched by the British Council in September 2014. They are
open to alumni currently residing in any country outside the UK, who have
studied in the UK, at an officially recognised provider of UK university degree
level study for a minimum of a term or semester, or who have been awarded a
full UK degree level qualification (or higher), by a UK university, within the
last 15 years.
Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have
used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive
contribution to their communities, professions and countries. The Alumni Awards
celebrate and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education and raises
the profile and reputation of UK alumni, their former universities, and the
whole of UK education.
For full details about the Study UK Alumni Awards please refer to:
Images
from the ceremony can be downloaded here, full-resolution
photos are available on request.
About the British Council
The
British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations
and educational opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust
between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture,
education and the English language. In 2019-2020 we reached over 75 million
people directly and 758 million people overall including online, broadcasts and
publications. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and
a UK public body. We receive a 14.5 per cent core funding grant from the UK
government.