Yuhang Xu, a 2024 graduand of the Finance, Accounting and Management Programme at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), boasts an impressive list of achievements: first place in the ACCA Global Exam (PM) in China, top 15 in the Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge Asia, two publications in international journals, and research on land economics with a professor from the University of Cambridge.
However, she values the independent thinking ability and the courage to challenge new things instilled in her by UNNC above all. Yuhang describes UNNC as her “John Keating,” the teacher from her favourite film Dead Poets Society, who breaks traditional teaching methods and encourages students to view the world from new perspectives. “UNNC enabled me to achieve things I never thought possible.”
Yuhang considers choosing UNNC an unexpected yet incredibly right decision. “My college entrance exam scores could have gotten me into some 985 or 211 universities, but I wasn't satisfied.”
While browsing university information, she was instantly drawn to UNNC's introduction: world-class university resources, English-taught classes, and an international campus. Most importantly, she was deeply attracted to the "liberal arts education" advocated by UNNC's founding president, Academician Fujia Yang. She was curious about how the university would ignite the "flame" in students' hearts, and her curiosity was soon answered after entering the university.
During an office hour session with Professor Kian Howe Ong from the Nottingham University Business School China, Yuhang helped answer a question from her classmate. Kian immediately praised her, saying, "Julie, you have a talent for mathematics! Thank you for your help, well done!" Yuhang knew she hadn't solved a difficult problem, but Kian's "you have a talent" deeply encouraged her and washed away her long-standing self-doubt, making her realise for the first time that she might not be bad at mathematics.
This recognition became a powerful motivation for her studies. Her connection with Professor Kian did not end with the module. In her fourth year, under Professor Kian's guidance and encouragement, Yuhang successfully wrote a paper which not only earned her the opportunity to attend “the 11th International Workshop on Regional, Urban, and Spatial Economics in China” but also allowed her to step onto the international academic stage, delivering a 20-minute presentation and exchanging ideas with scholars and experts from around the world. "This filled me with confidence in achieving more in the future."
In addition to her studies, Yuhang is passionate about public welfare. Initially, her public welfare journey started as a simple volunteer role. However, through participating in the university's public welfare consulting projects, she quickly realised her potential to be a proactive and professional force for social progress.
In her second year, recommended by the university, Yuhang joined the "Hangzhou Xingjuexing" public welfare project to support children with intellectual disabilities as well as their families. At the time, the project faced funding shortages. Utilising their financial knowledge, Yuhang and her team crafted a fundraising committee construction plan and established a long-term funding attraction mechanism. She also participated in the "NINI Global Food Education" public welfare consulting project, customising strategic plans and solutions through industry research and market surveys.
The skills applied in these projects were largely due to university's Finance Club, which focuses on extracurricular academic practice. The club provides a bridge for students to communicate with financial professionals and offers academic help and career guidance.
"UNNC has given me critical thinking ability, an open mind, and innovative perspectives that are beneficial for life." Yuhang is now interning at a funding company, and after the summer vacation ends, she will pursue further study at Imperial College London.
Published on 02 July 2024