The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) held Winter 2023 Graduation Ceremony at the D.H. Lawrence Auditorium on 11 November 2023.

As we celebrate this graduation season, we are thrilled to announce that a total of 38 Postgraduate Research (PGR) graduands have reached this incredible milestone. Among them, 22 graduates graced us with their presence at the graduation ceremonies, and it was a joyous occasion for all.

We would also like to share the good news that Professor Yongguan Zhu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of our partners in the Doctoral Training Partnership Programme, has been awarded an Honorary Professorship at UNNC.

Prof. Zhu shared with the graduands his experiences and thoughts throughout his scientific career. He encouraged the students to take action, even in small steps, and to always keep an open mind.

In this special occasion, we invited some of our graduands to share with us their thoughts and experiences on their doctoral journey. Let’s have a look!

Graduands' Voice

• Ishioma Laurene EGUN
• PhD Chemical Engineering, FoSE

In reflection, I am reminded of words in the Book of Habakkuk, chapter 2, verse 3, which says "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end, it will speak." My PhD journey at UNNC was one marked by resilience, challenges, setbacks, moments of introspection, and the elation that accompanied the congratulations of my examiners at the successful completion of my Viva. The collaboration with the eminent Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (CNITECH), offered me a global platform to conduct diverse and ground-breaking research. I must express my profound gratitude to my mentors and guides, Dr. Di Hu (UNNC), Professor Haiyong He (CNITECH), and Professor George Chen (UNUK). Their unwavering support, invaluable insights, and constant encouragement were instrumental in my academic growth. With the culmination of my PhD journey, I am charged with the responsibility to translate the knowledge I have acquired into impactful research while guiding younger generation on their path to becoming independent researchers. To future UNNC PhD students, I would like to conclude by saying, "Maintain an unwavering focus on your academic goals while embracing the beauty and experiences that life has to offer."

• Weixuan CHEN
• PhD Built Environment, FoSE

During the three years of my PhD in Nottingham, I have experienced ups and downs, but also gained joy. First of all, I would like to say to myself: I have worked hard. I have gone through thorns and mountains all the way. I am the only one who understands the pain and fatigue. Whether the hard work was worth it or not, it is over and the future holds endless possibilities. Secondly, there are people to whom I must express my gratitude. I would like to thank the teachers and fellow students from Graduate School, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Architecture and Built Environment and other departments of the university for their help and support along the way. I would like to thank them for accompanying me through these three unforgettable years. No matter when I encounter ups and downs in scientific research or in life, my friends are always there to help and support me. Finally, I have a wish for all friends who are still on the path of PhD studies: A young man/woman only needs to travel in a small boat, and his/her future journey will be a sea of stars.

• Yibo XIONG
• EdD Professional Doctorate in Education, FHSS

I was pregnant with my daughter when I applied for the EdD programme at UNNC, and I complete my studies, my daughter has turned 8. Being a working mother and an EdD at the same time has never been easy. There were many moments when I patted and comforted my daughter to sleep with my left hand and scrolled through the readings on my phone with the other; there were also moments when I got frustrated with my thesis, but still managed to carry on right after I wiping my tears off my cheek... This thesis could never have been completed without the continued support and patience of my supervisors, Professor Douglas Bell and Professor Anwei Feng, especially Professor Douglas who was always there to guide me through so many puzzles and confusions in my writing up.

Looking back, it has been a difficult road, but one that was well worth taking. I’ve grown stronger, tougher, and it seems that nothing in this world can knock me down after all the challenges I’ve been through.

• Yu YU
• EdD Professional Doctorate in Education, FHSS

As a working student, I would like to use Li Bai’s poem "A light boat has passed through countless mountains" to describe my current mood. If the studying at UNNC is a journey in my life, it has been quite a long one, full of thorns and hardships. Fortunately, my supervisors, Prof. Geoff Hall, Prof. Anwei Feng, and Prof. Chris Hall, are like captains, guiding me in the right direction. Their relentless pursuit of academia and complete trust in their students have always supported and inspired me. When I felt I couldn't go on, I tried to hold on just a little longer. The support and care I received from Graduate School and my fellow students made the journey feel less lonely and helpless. Furthermore, this journey has enriched my thoughts, allowed me to see a bigger world and strive to become a better version of myself.

Thank you, UNNC, and may you become increasingly wonderful!

• Bojue XU
• PhD Strategy, NUBS China

Deciding to do a PhD is easy, applying for a PhD is difficult; self-discipline in research is easy, achieving innovative results is difficult; writing a paper is easy, publishing in journals is difficult; polishing a CV is easy, finding a satisfactory job is difficult. Every PhD graduands who shares a common smile has experienced different sleepless nights. Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my families for positively encouraging me when I was feeling down, to my supervisors (Dr. Zhao CAI, Prof. Alain Chong & Prof. Chee-wee TAN) for their meticulous guidance when I encountered academic difficulties, to my friends for exploring Ningbo cuisine to relax together, to the UNNC Graduate School staff for actively organizing various academic and entertainment activities, and to UNNC for the fascinating international teaching and research environment! I love UNNC forever!

May your life be filled with joy and light, and may your future shine brightly in academia.

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