On 27 April, the Nottingham Case Innovation Centre (NCIC) Launch Ceremony was successfully held at the New International Conference Center of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). Mr Zhicheng She, a guest from the Ningbo Education Bureau, Mr Thomas Murphy, Chief Financial and Planning Officer of UNNC, Professor Kok Wei Khong, Dean of Nottingham University Business School China (NUBS China), and Dr Huimin Song, Director of NCIC, jointly unveiled the centre. This marks a new stage in the development of case teaching at UNNC.

Under the remit of NUBS China, NCIC is dedicated to continuously enhancing the overall education quality at UNNC while fostering an environment of constant innovation in the field of case teaching. During the ceremony, Mr Punan Xu, on behalf of Safewell Group Holdings (China) Co., Ltd., donated 3 million RMB to support NCIC.

Professor Sam Shen, Party Secretary of UNNC and Chairman of the UNNC Education Foundation, expressed his expectations for the development of the Centre: "NCIC will establish close collaborations with distinguished domestic and international enterprises and institutions to jointly develop high-quality teaching cases, fostering the innovation and development of case teaching methods. Additionally, NCIC will further strengthen exchanges and collaborations with top domestic universities, introduce advanced teaching philosophies and resources, and continuously enhance the impact of UNNC's international education."

Dr Huimin Song introduced the Centre in detail: "The goal of NCIC is to develop high-quality teaching cases that reflect the latest trends and challenges in the business world and to apply them in teaching." She also mentioned the future direction of the Centre: to establish a research team, continuously develop case collections that mirror current industry trends, strengthen research cooperation with industry and academic institutions, and enhance the Centre's teaching influence and competitiveness. Based on these efforts, she stated, "We hope to ultimately establish our own case library."

At the donation ceremony, Mr Punan Xu, Chairman of Safewell Group Holdings (China) Co., Ltd., expressed his anticipation for the prospects of NCIC: "We believe that NCIC can become a globally renowned centre for case innovation, providing valuable case studies for more business schools in society, thereby promoting the advancement of education and industry."

In his keynote speech titled "The Responsibility and Challenges of Chinese Private Entrepreneurs," Mr Xiaoming Hu, an Honorary Partner of Alibaba, Chairman of Yimiba Marine Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., and Vice Chairman of the Alibaba Foundation, delved into the pivotal role of that private enterprises play in China's economic landscape. Drawing from his own experiences, he underscored the importance of education for entrepreneurs facing market challenges and discussed how entrepreneurs can adapt to rapid economic changes, manage their companies effectively and cultivate corporate culture. He pointed out, "The entrepreneurial spirit of private enterprises is the driving force behind China's economic development. Faced with the dual challenges of innovation and tradition, entrepreneurs need to establish up-to-date strategies, actively assume their roles in modern economic development and contribute to the continuous progress of society and the economy."

The open discussion session, hosted by Dr Yin Fah Foo, Assistant Professor in Accounting at NUBS China, was also a highlight, with six guests from both industry and academia emphasising the importance of case innovation from their own experiences. Mr Xiang He, Partner of Peacebird Pengyuan Fund, hoped that through the launch of the NCIC, more valuable analysis and experience can be provided to entrepreneurs. By dissecting enterprise cases at different stages, a greater number of entrepreneurs can benefit from it. Mr Bin Zhou, Chairman of Zhejiang Baihua Garden Group mentioned the necessity for students to learn theoretical knowledge and practical cases. He pointed out that the establishment of NCIC places UNNC at the forefront of Chinese higher education institutions, helping to cultivate future business leaders with a global vision. Professor Cong Cao, Professor in Innovation Studies at NUBS China, encouraged business school students to read works related to case studies to enhance their business thinking skills.

Mr Guofang Luo, Director of BDO Ningbo elucidated the demand for innovative cases in practical work. He believed that case teaching not only enhances students' learning interest but also guides practice and optimises resource allocation against the backdrop of pursuing high-quality development in the industry. NUBS China alumna Ms Han Chen also highlighted the critical role of innovation in technology or business models for SMEs in improving market competitiveness. Dr Abby Zhou, Associate Professor in International Business and Strategy at NUBS China, shared her research findings on the international business of Chinese companies, calling for more Chinese businesses to promote their successful cases on the international stage to demonstrate the innovative capabilities of Chinese enterprises.

Finally, Professor Kok Wei Khong stated, "NCIC will be a centre of continuous development, constantly advancing the innovation and progress of case teaching. Let’s look forward to its future development."