Deepest condolences to President Yang Fujia, the "spark-planter" who promoted the development of higher education in China

19 July 2022


example image alt text

Yang Fujia, a renowned nuclear physicist, educator, member of the China Central Institute for Culture and History, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, former president of Fudan University, former Chancellor of the University of Nottingham in the UK and the president of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, passed away in Shanghai on 17 July 2022 due to illness at the age of 86.

As a world-renowned nuclear physicist, academician Yang Fujia established a first-class laboratory in China – the "Accelerator-based Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory", which pioneered the research field of ion beam analysis in China and made outstanding contributions to applied physics research.

As an educator who had a rich knowledge of both Western and Chinese higher education, President Yang Fujia worked tirelessly to promote the development of China’s higher education throughout his life. He spoke and wrote actively on various occasions to promote the establishment of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, which opened a new model of sino-foreign cooperative education.

President Yang Fujia once said that the difference between people lies in the “flame” in their hearts. He advocated the idea of liberal arts education and constantly encouraged students to explore and ignite the “flame” that seeks true knowledge. As a "spark-planter" of advanced educational concepts, President Yang Fujia had an extensive and far-reaching impact on the development of higher education in China.

Promoting the establishment of the first sino-foreign university in China

example image alt text

Academician Yang Fujia was the first Chinese national to serve as the Chancellor of the University of Nottingham in the UK. It was also the first time in history that a Chinese national was honored to serve as the Chancellor of a famous British university.

Serving at the helm of well-known universities at home and abroad for many years, Yang Fujia had profound insights into the development of higher education and talent cultivation. He advocated the idea of liberal arts education, speaking and writing actively on various occasions to promote the reform of higher education in China. He once said: “I was fortunate enough to be the Chancellor of the University of Nottingham in the UK for 12 years. I visited countless universities around the world and gradually understood what liberal arts education is. Naturally, I am also thinking about whether this excellent teaching system can be migrated to China.”

In 2003, the promulgation of the “Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools” created a positive environment and legal ground for the establishment of sino-foreign universities. At the same time, Xu Yafen, the co-founder of Wanli Education Group, also expressed her wish of cooperation with the University of Nottingham to President Yang Fujia to establish the first sino-foreign university in Ningbo, hoping that Chinese students would be able to study in a world-famous university at home rather than abroad, which coincided with President Yang Fujia's idea seamlessly. Two months later, accompanied by Chancellor Yang, Sir Colin Campbell, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham at that time, visited Ningbo. In the presence of Chancellor Yang, the University of Nottingham signed a letter of intent with Wanli Education Group.

In 2004, the first sino-foreign university in China, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China was established. This remarkable event was included in the "60 major events in the 60 years of education in new China" by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.

Adhering to the "Three Principles" and always seek excellence

example image alt text

During his tenure as president of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, President Yang Fujia advocated liberal art education, emphasising "human beings first, professionals second".

His "Three Principles" on education were widely spread. Firstly, "The key to running a good university is quality, quality and quality."

When being awarded the title of Honorary Chancellor of the University of Nottingham in the UK, President Yang Fujia said, "The courage to face new challenges and continuously improve the quality of education will make the University of Nottingham Ningbo China not only the first sino-foreign university in China, but also the best university in China."

As President Yang Fujia had said, having the highest standard of quality of education guaranteed the success of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China today. In 2013, the British Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) issued an evaluation report after an on-site teaching quality evaluation stating: the University of Nottingham Ningbo China adopts the education model and standards of the University of Nottingham, and its level of academic teaching and the quality of learning for students are completely consistent with the University of Nottingham in the UK.

Secondly, according to President Yang Fujia, "a student's mind is not just a vessel to be filled with knowledge, but a spark to be ignited. Keep discovering your flame and let it burn!" In his view, education was not simply about feeding knowledge, but igniting the flame inside one’s mind, developing and enlightening the inner potential of the person being educated, so that they will actively pursue new knowledge.

Under his vigorous advocacy, in addition to classroom teaching, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China has also made efforts in extracurricular activities to carry out diversified education models such as community practice, public welfare activities, employment guidance, and liberal arts classes to help students ignite the spark.

To encourage outstanding students who performed well in extracurricular activities and worked hard for their dreams, in 2013, President Yang Fujia generously donated a significant sum of money to the University of Nottingham Ningbo China Education Foundation to establish the Dream Scholarship.

Thirdly, President Yang Fujia attached great importance to undergraduate teaching and advocated that professors should teach undergraduate students, especially first-year students, which would help to improve the students' vision and broaden their horizons. "We should adopt a 'student-centred approach' to education", said President Yang Fujia. Educating students is always the top priority of the University. With small-sized classes, interactive seminars, and a diversified assessment system, in the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, the quality of learning and personal development of every student is given the highest attention.

Every year at orientation and graduation ceremonies, President Yang Fujia always came to the University to interact with the students cordially, with this tradition going on for many years. In July 2021, the 85- year-old President Yang still insisted on being present to send his blessings to the graduates. At this year's graduation ceremony, he encouraged the graduates through a letter: "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."

The spark of liberal arts education has become a fire across the prairie

example image alt text

President Yang Fujia's educational philosophy deeply influenced many of our students, with him receiving many letters from students stating "the University has changed our lives". The students also lived up to President Yang's expectations, exploring their inner flame, pursuing their dreams, and shining across the globe. Some examples of this include:

Yu Yejiong, a graduate of Environmental Engineering in 2016, and a core member of a research team, developed a COVID-19 test kit, which has been widely used in developing countries.

Qiu Jiayi, a graduate of Architectural Environment Engineering in 2015, won the "You Bring Charm to the World Award" together with Yu Min, the father of the hydrogen bomb.

"YiKun Sports", a student entrepreneurship project, stepped out of the campus and became the first and only company in China that has the entire frisbee sport industry chain of supply and distribution under its grasp, shipping frisbees to more than 50 countries and regions in the world.

In just 18 years since the establishment of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, seven of our alumni have been listed on Forbes' Under 30 list.

From 2004 to 2022, more than 20,000 of our students have traveled to different parts of the world. Global vision, critical thinking, teamwork and the ability to solve complex problems are often mentioned by famous universities and enterprises in the world when they talk about students who studied at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. President Yang Fujia once said at a graduation ceremony, "Believe in yourselves, this University has given you enough knowledge to excel at all kinds of professions. Secondly, no matter how you will go about your life, work in a company or study further, you will succeed as long as you work hard."

In view of the development of China's higher education system, President Yang Fujia also pointed out that different types of universities (research universities, general universities, or vocational colleges) need to have different evaluation systems. The development of different kinds of higher education systems should also be encouraged. Since the establishment of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, a number of other sino-foreign universities have emerged in China.

On this experimental field of higher education at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, the torch lit by President Yang Fujia not only brightened the flames in the hearts of our students, but also opened up a new path for China’s education to enter the world and promoted the internationalization and diversification of higher education.

President Yang Fujia passed away, but his spirit will be with us forever. Staff and students send in their love and tribute

example image alt text

Immediately after his death, flowers were placed at President Yang Fujia’s office door. Bright yellow chrysanthemum, pure white lily and cards filled with words of tribute are all showing people’s grief.

Since the news of President Yang's passing was released, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China has received many condolences and messages from staff, students and parents.

In President Yang's office, the lights are still on, the furniture and his personal belongings are in good order, and the calligraphy "Great virtues and blessings" still hangs on the wall. It seems he had never left us. His spirit will be with us forever and the flame he ignited will never die.