On 16 November, the University of Nottingham Tri-Campus Roundtable Discussion, “Global Higher Education – Why Does It Matter”, was held at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), bringing together representatives from China, UK and Malaysia to explore the future direction of international higher education and new pathways for cultivating global talent.
Professor Xincheng Xie, President of UNNC and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Jane Norman, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham; Professor Jon Garibaldi, Provost of UNNC; and Professor David FitzPatrick, Provost and CEO of the University of Nottingham Malaysia, attended the event. They were joined by distinguished alumni and stakeholders from academia, industry, finance, technology and the media, who shared their perspectives and insights on the evolution of global higher education.
Professor Jane Norman noted:
“Twenty-five years ago, we established our first overseas campus in Malaysia. This groundbreaking decision positioned the University of Nottingham as a pioneer in international academic collaboration. We later partnered to establish UNNC and have since witnessed more than two decades of achievements here. UoN remains at the cutting edge of understanding what the economies, societies and the environment demand of its educators and research communities. The insights from today's discussion in Ningbo will directly shape our thinking in Nottingham and Malaysia. This is global education in action.”
Professor Jon Garibaldi remarked:
“Our global footprint demonstrates the incredible transformative power of transnational education. We have a community of more than 350,000 alumni in influential positions all over the world, meeting the high skills needs of both traditional and emerging industries. International education has real power to drive personal growth, professional development and global awareness.”
During the forum, guests engaged in lively discussions on challenges in talent cultivation in the age of AI, how transnational education and research can respond to societal needs, and the role of universities amid geopolitical shifts and labour-market transformation. “AI”, “employability” and “global outlook” repeatedly emerged as key themes, reflecting the keen attention of alumni and stakeholders to technological change, global talent competition and the responsibilities of a global university in an evolving world.
Participants broadly agreed that future societies will require not single-skill professionals, but versatile talents with interdisciplinary knowledge, innovative and practical capabilities, digital literacy and intercultural communication skills. Guests emphasised that those who can identify issues at the intersection of disciplines, integrate resources and develop effective solutions will be crucial in driving sustained innovation and shaping future competitiveness. Global higher education will therefore become more open, interconnected and collaborative, a direction in which UNNC is poised to play an increasingly significant role.
As the first Sino-foreign university in China, UNNC pioneered the integration of Chinese higher education with high-quality international resources.
President Xie highlighted:
“In a world of increasing complexity and geopolitical uncertainty, the model we have built here is more vital than ever. We are not merely a Sino-British university in China,we are a living bridge. A bridge between East and West, between tradition and innovation, between the theoretical and the applied.”
In November, the University officially released the UNNC Strategic Plan: Roadmap to 2030. Centred on six strategic themes, which are education and student experience, research and knowledge exchange, global engagement and reputation, people and culture, sustainability, and finance and infrastructure. The Plan aims to leverage and amplify UNNC’s unique strengths within the University of Nottingham’s global family, providing a clear blueprint for the next five years
Professor Alain Chong, Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Partnerships at UNNC, commented:
"Global higher education is about building bridges, connecting people, ideas, and cultures. Our goal is to develop graduates who are not only strong in their disciplines but also confident global citizens. By staying closely connected with our partners, alumni, and stakeholders, we can keep evolving with the world and ensure our strategy remains relevant, responsive, and truly international."
Published on 19 November 2025