On 24 September, a memorial service was held at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China's (UNNC) Siyuan Auditorium for President Yang Fujia. In addition to being the President of UNNC, Professor Yang Fujia was also 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 and former Chancellor of the University of Nottingham in the UK.

Under the direction of Professor Sam Shen, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Provost of UNNC, the memorial service began by observing a one-minute silence in remembrance of President Yang Fujia. UNNC staff, student and alumni representatives took the stage to speak in turn, sharing fond memories of President Yang Fujia. Xu Yafen, Chair of UNNC Board and Chair of Zhejiang Wanli University, recalled President Yang Fujia with great fondness. "The time spent with President Yang Fujia will never be forgotten, it's as if he never left."

President Yang Fujia was an instrumental figure in the establishment of UNNC, and his advanced educational principles have been implemented in the university since its inception. Xu Yafen said, "President Yang Fujia may have passed away, but his educational philosophy, innovative spirit, his compassion for students, and his far-reaching influence on China's higher education will endure long into the future. Staff and students at UNNC will never forget President Yang Fujia."

Professor Shearer West, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, also expressed her condolences through a letter: "President Professor Yang Fujia will remain fondly and proudly in our memories as a leader of immense vision and drive. So much of the University we know today would not be here without his influence as our sixth Chancellor. His achievements and his name will resonate long into our futures both here and in Ningbo."

Professor Nick Miles, Provost of UNNC, said, "President Yang Fujia will be deeply remembered by all of us, not only by his relatives and friends, but also by all those upon whom he made an everlasting impression of kindness, wisdom and generosity." He went on to state, "President Yang Fujia has made unprecedented contributions to the development of higher education in China, and we will always be grateful for this. Many UNNC students mentioned in their letters to President Yang that 'the university has changed our lives.'"

Professor Sam Shen had known President Yang for nearly 20 years, and believed him to be an exuberant and amiable man who was easy to approach. He recalled that President Yang Fujia often worked all over the world, and that it was not unusual to see him holding meetings to arrange his workload as soon as he got off the plane. Whether it is with administrators, teachers or students, President Yang Fujia was always considered as a kind man. "Without President Yang Fujia, the university we know today would simply not be here."

Professor Gary Rawnsley is the founding Dean of the university, and agrees with President Yang’s educational philosophies. He stated that many students have embraced President Yang’s vision and graduated from UNNC with successes achieved across the world. "Without his vision, guidance, and hard work, so much of the university we know today would simply not be here. " He said. "Our students are as proud of President Yang as he was of them. "

Liang Ji, an alumna of UNNC International Business, was present during the first intake of students at UNNC. She paid tribute during the memorial, stating, "it was President Yang who opened a window on education in China, and gave us the opportunity to explore the world." She went on to say, "as one of the first batch of students at UNNC, I have witnessed that President Yang has been involved in almost every major point of our university life. From the new student welcome ceremony, the Tree Planting Day, the New Year's Eve party, the awards ceremony, the graduation ceremony, and later the alumni activities. In the early years, President Yang used all his resources to help the development of the university by inviting many scholars and professors to give lectures, organising international seminars, and many other events. It is thanks to his heartfelt care and the joint efforts of all the teachers and students at the university that UNNC is growing better and better."

The memorial service also included a commemorative video of President Yang Fujia, marking his contributions to China and world's education and the establishment of UNNC, as well as paying tribute to the educational spirit of President Yang.

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. President Yang Fujia believed that a student's mind is not just a vessel to be filled with knowledge, but a spark to be ignited. His educational philosophy influenced countless UNNC staff and students.

Sun Yuzhou, a UNNC graduate of International Studies and French, found her passion in historical research, and was China's first ever female student to be admitted to Oxford University's African Studies Programme. In 2015, Qiu Jiayi, a UNNC engineering student, won the "You Bring Charm to the World Award" after making breakthroughs in the field of green technology. Chang Zhousheng, a UNNC International Business graduate, became "Mr World" of 2016, and shined as a rare Asian model in the American fashion industry. Seven UNNC alumni have also been recognised for their entrepreneurial success after being listed on "Forbes' Under 30" list.

President Yang Fujia was very passionate about student development and was a strong advocate of liberal arts education. He once said in an interview, "when one's path in life has not yet formed, the impact of university is very important. I think the core principle for this journey is 'human beings first, professionals second'." In 2013, President Yang Fujia generously donated his personal savings to set up the "Dream Scholarship" which was designed to motivate students who show outstanding potential in extracurricular activities and other aspects. In the past 10 years, more than 200 students have benefited from it.

A motto of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China was originally translated as "academic excellence makes first-class international talents". President Yang Fujia proposed to change it to "academic excellence in the service of global citizenship". The difference reflects the idea that what UNNC provides is not passive knowledge, but rather the tools to develop one’s inner potential, actively pursue new knowledge and shrine bright on the world stage.

President Yang Fujia also firmly believed that the key to running a good university is "quality, quality, and quality". He advocated that famous professors should teach undergraduate students, which will help to improve the students' vision and broaden their horizons. In the 18 years since its establishment, more than 20,000 of our students have sparked their flame and gone on to have extraordinary adventures and success across every region of the world.

In order to commemorate President Yang Fujia's outstanding contributions to the founding of UNNC and the internationalisation of higher education in China, UNNC Party Secretary Ying Xiong and UNNC Chief Financial and Planning Officer Thomas Murphy both announced and unveiled the naming of the "YANG Fujia Building" on campus. The "YANG Fujia Building" is located in the centre of the campus teaching area, directly across from UNNC’s Trent Building.

Donor representative from Hybribio Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Mr Kun Tit Sang, was also in attendance at the memorial service. Mr Kun stated that Hybribio Biotech's successful development is inseparable from President Yang Fujia's guidance and support. He announced the company will donate 5 million RMB to support the establishment of the "Yang Fujia Research Talent Development Fund". The fund will follow President Yang's education ideas of liberal arts and promote the development of higher education and talent cultivation in China.

During the Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony in July, President Yang Fujia sent a message to the students for the last time: "students, the world we live in is still facing many problems and challenges. No matter where you go, what industry you enter in the future, I hope that you can make your own contribution to this world. I sincerely hope that every student of UNNC can realise their dreams and light up the world with their spark of fire, and we can build a community with a shared future for mankind."

Memorial ceremony look back video