April 1, 2015, by BEIS Blogger

University celebrates Chinese New Year with the launch of the Nottingham China Campaign and a gala fundraiser for dementia

The University of Nottingham ushered in the Chinese New Year with a business reception and gala show held at Albert Hall, hosted by Pro Vice Chancellor International, Professor Hai-Sui YU and organised by the Asia Business Centre.

The event was attended by Mr Li Guoqiang, the First Secretary of the Education Section of the Chinese Embassy as well as representatives of the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University. Among the event’s attendees were city council representatives and the University’s business partners.

Mr Li attended the reception and expressed his compliments for the development of the relations between China and the University. The reception also saw the launch of the Nottingham China Campaign, after which the reception’s guests attended a charity gala show to raise funds and awareness for Life Cycle 5, which this year is raising money for dementia research.

Chris Henning, Head of Economic Development at the Nottingham City Council, said in his speech: “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.”

Mr Henning also spoke about the objectives of the campaign, what had already been done to further nurture relations with China, and the latest developments surrounding the Nottingham China Forum.

Life Cycle 5, the University’s main charitable campaign, was also introduced at the reception by Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Hai-Sui Yu, before the reception’s guests were treated to a fundraising gala performance by the University’s very own Min Rose. Min is using her debut music album, Stray Birds, to raise funds for the University to use a new cutting-edge MRI scanner to research ways of diagnosing dementia earlier and improving its treatment.

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.

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.”

Jason Feehily, Head of the Asia Business Centre at the University, added: “I am very pleased with the turnout for this event in celebration of Chinese New Year, 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.”

The gala show managed to raise just under £400 for Life Cycle 5.

CNY Gala 2015, event programme

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