The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) held Summer 2024 Graduation Ceremony at the D.H. Lawrence Auditorium on 13-14 July 2024.

This season marked a significant milestone for our University as we celebrated the achievements of 100 Postgraduate Research (PGR) graduands. These included 85 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 6 Doctor of Education (EdD), and 9 Master of Research (MRes) graduates. It was inspiring to witness 78 PGR graduates join us in person for the ceremonies, making it a joyous occasion filled with pride and celebration.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, this summer, we were delighted to have Dr. Duckie, our beloved mascot, join us to celebrate the achievements of our PGR graduates. Dr. Duckie’s presence brought smiles and laughter to both graduates and guests alike, capturing the spirit of camaraderie and success that defines our PGR community.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, Graduate School provided each attending PGR graduate with a special gift - a Dr. Duckie and a Graduate School bag. These tokens of appreciation are more than just gifts; they symbolize the culmination of their academic journey and will serve as cherished reminders of their time at UNNC.

During the ceremony, we had the privilege of hearing from a number of our graduates who shared heartfelt reflections on their student journey. Their stories underscored the dedication, perseverance and passion and inspired us all to continue striving for excellence.

Scroll down to see the testimonials!

Graduands' Voice

• Yanning XIANG
• PhD Built Environment, FoSE

UNNC has been a pivotal part of my journey from 18 to 26, introducing me to influential mentors and lifelong friends. I am thankful to my supervisors, Dr. Yat Ming Loo and Professor Jonathan Hale, and all my tutors who modelled scholarly integrity, as well as the esteemed seniors from Tianjin and Ningbo whom I met during my research. I appreciate the support of my peers in the SBE research group and the trust from the juniors in NUML. I am grateful to Graduate School for organising activities that fostered a supportive environment. My heartfelt thanks also go to the logistics staff and volunteers for their selfless efforts during the lockdown. Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, who have always been my rock, a constant source of strength and warmth.

UNNC has provided us with a focused academic environment, a platform for international exchange, opportunities to cultivate our leadership and team spirit, and humanised support services that have shaped me into a more upright, determined, adaptable, and curious individual, ready to take on new challenges with a critical and inclusive mindset. May all doctoral students find their unique paths and meanings in their research, and may UNNC excel.

• Vasyl VARVOLIK
• PhD Aerospace Engineering, FoSE

After completing my PhD journey at UNNC, I can confidently say that this is the best place to do research. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors Prof. Giampaolo Buticchi, Dr. Dmytro Prystupa, and Prof. Michael Galea for their exceptional guidance, strong support, and endless patience. My friends and colleagues have made my PhD journey truly unforgettable. They were there for me during happy and difficult times, and their support and kindness illuminated even the darkest days.

I am extremely thankful to Graduate School for organizing research training sessions, which are highly important for the personal development of a PhD student. Since my first day at UNNC, I have attended PGR training sessions, which equipped me with a lot of skills to plan research, understand supervision, conduct and search literature, prepare the annual review, and improve academic writing and presentation skills. Apart from the research activities at UNNC, Graduate School has organized a lot of interesting activities and trips to improve the students’ well-being. I was also involved in the management of the PGR basketball team, where I made new friends and expanded my network by meeting many researchers from other universities during friendly games.

• Yifan ZHAN
• PhD Finance, NUBS China

My PhD journey is a long and arduous one, but it is also an independent and fulfilling exploration. The four years of PhD life have taught me a lesson: we are all too eager to find an answer. Sometimes we yearn for the approval of other researchers, and for the reasons behind a complicated question to be explored easily in a short time. However, the most fascinating aspect of academic research and the future lies in its uncertainty. The process of thinking critically and independently, exploring a challenging methodology and extending a new mechanism are actually the most memorable moments of these four years. They are all my precious fortune.

Having said that, my PhD journey is not just about research. The early-morning coffees, the late-night heart-to-heart talks, the daily exercises, and the occasional parties together make up my leisure life in UNNC. Please remember to enjoy the life as you explore the world.

I always believe that the graduation is not the end, but a new beginning for our future. I would like to express my great appreciation for the support from my supervisors, co-authors, parents and friends finally. I will always miss you, UNNC.

• Jishnu BHATTACHARYYA
• PhD Marketing, NUBS China

My journey through the PGR programme has been incredibly rewarding. The generous research grants and conference funding provided by Graduate School were instrumental in allowing me to pursue my research interests and present my findings at various international conferences. The rigorous coursework and invaluable guidance from my supervisors helped me develop a strong foundation in research methodology and academic writing. This comprehensive support system contributed significantly to my professional growth and prepared me for my current role in academia.

I highly recommend the PGR programme to prospective students looking for a robust and supportive environment to pursue their research aspirations.

• Xia CHEN
• PhD Strategy, NUBS China

My PhD experience at UNNC has had a profound impact on both my professional development and personal growth. The interactions with esteemed professors and scholars have equipped me with valuable insights into academic research and methodology. Working with passionate doctoral candidates from diverse backgrounds has provided me with the skills and mindset to navigate a globalised and interconnected society. The exceptional education, tailored support and the vibrant community at UNNC have been instrumental in shaping my experience.

I am immensely grateful for the experience at UNNC, especially for the guidance and support from my supervisors, Prof. Cong Cao and Dr. Michal Lemanski.

• Zhihao QIN
• PhD Finance, NUBS China

As a PhD graduate of UNNC, I attribute much of my professional growth to the comprehensive support system provided by the university. Since graduating, in addition to working as a lecturer at a university, I have been actively involved in important initiatives such as co-founding a Research Center for Large Language Model (LLM) and working as a financial consultant for a county government. These roles, which are a direct outgrowth of my UNNC experience, have not only strengthened my research independence, but also honed my skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and research project management.

UNNC’s global community of scholars has profoundly shaped my international perspective, exposing me to diverse viewpoints and methodologies. This exposure has been invaluable in navigating today’s competitive and increasingly complex academic landscape, where independent thinking and global insights are paramount.

I am deeply grateful to UNNC for cultivating an environment that fosters both academic excellence and practical innovation. It has prepared me exceptionally well to make a meaningful contribution to my field and to tackle real-world challenges with confidence.

• Ying CHEN
• PhD Economics, FHSS

My PhD journey has been challenging and unforgettable. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Stuart McDonald, Tom Lane and Chris Starmer for being an excellent supervisory team. They (were and) are always available for discussion and I am indebted to them for their unconditional support of my research and academic career. It is a privilege to be able to receive their guidance, to work with them and to explore something new with them. Second, I would like to express my gratitude to the faculty members and colleagues from the School of Economics, Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics China (CeDEx China), and Smart Medicine Laboratory (SML). Their collaboration and insights have significantly enriched my PhD journey.  Additionally, I am grateful to the supporting teams from Graduate School (GS) and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) for their invaluable assistance and encouragement throughout this process. Finally, I would like to thank my family. Their support is the strongest emotional back up to accompany me until the end of the study.

• Lei CAO
• Professional Doctorate in Education, FHSS

The saying “persistent efforts and tenacity lead you to the grand road” accurately describes my experience of doctoral study over the past eight years. Pursuing a PhD is never a smooth path for a working mother. When I applied for the EdD programme in 2016, I was breastfeeding a three-month-old baby. Now that I graduated in 2024, my son is eight years old. Countless midnights and dawns, restless weekends and holidays, frequent frustration and confusion are all common on my journey. Nevertheless, I have never thought of giving up because my dear supervisor, Professor Godwin Ioratim-Uba, was always there to encourage me and guide me to the success. It would have been impossible for me to complete my doctorate without his support. My appreciation also goes to Professor Anwei Feng, Professor Xin Gao, Professor Christine Hall and Professor Douglas Bell who inspired me throughout the challenging journey. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the UNNC staff members for providing me with various kinds of support. The doctoral journey at UNNC has enhanced my academic skills, enlightened my critical thinking and enriched my life. May every UNNCer have a bright future!

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