The graduation memories for the Class of 2022 will be entirely unique. This year, UNNC has developed several engaging online activities including a mini programme with an exclusive “NottingDuck” avatar for every graduate and even a video game called “Minecraft” designed by freshman Yang Tengxiang. “I was so impressed by the beautiful architecture and campus environment of UNNC, so I built a virtual campus in the game. I hope graduates can come back through ‘Minecraft’ online after graduation,” he said.

Professor Nick Miles, Provost of UNNC, presided over the first graduation ceremony and delivered a welcome speech. In his speech, he commented that all graduation ceremonies are special. He stated, “it marks the conclusion of an influential period of your personal journey. The skills and experience you have gained here with us – whether in the classroom or laboratory, with a club or society, through volunteering or social enterprise – will be of immeasurable value in the years ahead.”

He continued, “whichever path you ultimately take, remember to tap into your inner Nottingham values—your open-mindedness and willingness to give back and help others will be what propel you toward changing the world for the better.”

Professor Fujia Yang, President of UNNC, also encouraged the graduates through his letter: “my dear students, the world we live in today still faces all sorts of problems and challenges. I hope that wherever you go from here or whatever you do in the future, you will light up the world with your spark of fire.”

During the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal was awarded to the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Team, Outreach Teacher Training Team, V-ROOM Lab Team, together with graduate Fu Haoyu.

The President’s Award for Outstanding Graduates was given to three graduates, He Ning, Li Yimeng, and Liao Xinyu, for their exceptional achievements in both the academic realm and extracurricular activities.

According to the latest statistics, graduates who have already obtained job offers are heading to work at leading companies in the industry and graduates who chose to pursue further study are going to top universities.

Liao Xinyu, an undergraduate of English Language and Applied Linguistics, who received offers from top universities such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and the National University of Singapore, said that his studying experience in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences peaked his interest in scientific research and strengthened his determination to continue linguistic research overseas.

As the only graduate who won the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal, Fu Haoyu majored in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and will continue his studies at Duke University. He said that his most memorable experience at UNNC was his participation in the university RoboMaster team. He started off as an individual developer and later became a team leader. He said, “I not only learned to incorporate the most up-to-date technologies in the field of robotics, but I also gained practical experience in managing a team.”

Lv Yuting, an undergraduate in Finance Accounting and Management, chose to work at Deloitte, one of the big four accounting firms, after her graduation. Lv Yuting believes that studying and living at UNNC has been of great help to her future work. “In UNNC, I can get closer to the teacher and learn from them, which also enhances my communication skills, consequently contributing to my interview at Deloitte” she said.

During the ceremony, friends and family of graduates who were unable to attend in person sent their best wishes via various social media channels, congratulating the graduates on starting a new journey in their lives. One graduate’s friend from Thailand wrote: “Follow your dreams. Go wherever your heart leads to. Be whoever you’re destined to be. Life is short, so keep discovering. I will always be with you!”