The 20th-anniversary celebration of the Suman Education International recently held at Manchester Metropolitan University, under the theme “Education Connecting the Future: Innovative Collaboration and Global Vision.” Representatives from the education, business, and overseas Chinese communities of both the UK and China, along with partners, gathered to discuss the future of international educational cooperation between the two countries.
Suman Education International located at the Manchester, a heart of England’s political and economic hub in the Northwest, was established in 2004. As a Sino-British education training institution is dedicated to promoting and facilitating educational, cultural, and technological exchanges between China and the UK. Over the past 20 years, it has received strong support and encouragement from the Manchester City Council and Jiangsu Provincial Education Department in China.
Paul Andrews, The Lord Mayor of Manchester attends the celebration event. In his greeting speech the mayor emphasized that education serves as a bridge connecting different countries and cultures. Over the past two decades, the centre has played a pivotal role as the first overseas teacher training base established by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education. The educational collaboration between Jiangsu Province and Manchester has provided high-quality international education resources for students, fostered deep friendships between the peoples of the two nations, and showcased the true potential of education internationalization.
Tang Rui, Chinese Consul General in Manchester, remarked in his speech that the partnership between Jiangsu Province’s SED International Education and Culture Exchange Centre and the UK’s Suman Education International Development Centre has built a bridge for educational exchange between China and the UK. This collaboration has created abundant international education opportunities for teachers and students from both countries. He expressed hopes for exploring innovative pathways to cultivate outstanding talent and deepening educational exchanges in the future.
On the day of the event, Trafford Mayor Amy Whyte, Salford Ceremonial Mayor Tanya Birch, Geng Zhiming, CEO of Jiangsu Province SED International Education and Culture Exchange Centre, and Andy Weightman, Professor of Science and Engineering College at the University of Manchester, were among the distinguished guests from China and the UK who delivered speeches.
During the thematic seminar, attendees delved into the experiences and future paths of UK-China educational collaboration from multiple perspectives, including policy innovation, curriculum development, and teacher training. Xu Yanzhong, founder of Suman Education International, and Zong Jinlian from the Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Educational Science, highlighted the similarities, differences, and complementary advantages of the two countries’ education systems and engaged in dynamic discussions with representatives from 20 local UK schools.
As part of the event, Suman Education International officially launched the “Suman Inspiring the Future Scholarship Launch Ceremony ” It’s initiative aims to provide outstanding students from both countries with greater opportunities for international learning and exchange, promoting educational equity and fostering a global vision.