The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) celebrates a significant milestone in its development with the appointment of 12 Chair Professors to recognise and reward exceptional academic leadership at UNNC.
The Chair Professor scheme, previously known as the Li Dak Sum Chair Professor, is an initiative launched in 2018. It is a key part of UNNC’s people development strategy to attract and retain top-tier talent. The initiative is expected to greatly strengthen UNNC’s research capabilities through research support funds, and improve the quality of teaching by attracting eminent scholars who share their expertise with students, thereby enhancing the university’s academic standing. Ultimately, this initiative contributes to building a dynamic and exceptional academic community at UNNC.
The Chair Professor title is reserved for world-class scholars who are academic leaders of international stature and have made a continued and distinguished contribution to the advancement of knowledge in their field.
Launched in August last year, the 2024 Chair Professor Project has identified eight Chair Professors across the institution. These distinguished academics will receive a research support fund of RMB 400,000 each academic year during their five-year conferment term. Additionally, four Chair Professors have been appointed on merit to recognise their outstanding academic contributions. Together, these 12 Chair Professors represent the University’s efforts to foster academic excellence and leadership.
Professor Jon Garibaldi, Provost of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, said: “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the appointed Chair Professors. The appointment underscores our commitment to attracting and retaining renowned scholars, which is integral to UNNC’s strategic goals and future success. We are confident that their contributions will inspire future generations, and we look forward to the transformative impact they will bring to UNNC.”
Please find the full list of the appointed Chair Professors below.
| Name |
Faculty |
Title |
| Yanjun Guan |
NUBS China |
Chair Professor in Global Sustainable Strategies and Human Capital Management |
| David Phang |
NUBS China |
Chair Professor of Behavioural Insights and Decision Sciences |
| Anwei Feng |
FHSS |
Chair Professor of Multilingual Education |
| Michael Wormstone |
CBI |
Chair Professor of Life Science and Healthcare |
| Jim Greer |
CBI |
Chair Professor of Engineering Physics |
| Tao Wu |
FOSE |
Chair Professor of Chemical Engineering |
| Xiangjian He |
FOSE |
Chair Professor of Computer Science and Technology |
| Giampaolo Buticchi |
FOSE |
Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering - Power Electronics |
| Laura Bishop |
MB |
Chair Professor of Palaeoanthropology |
| Guoping Qiu |
MB |
Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing |
| Alain Chong |
MB |
Chair Professor of Information Systems and Digital Innovation |
| John Zhou |
MB |
Chair Professor of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering |