On 16th October 2025, a cultural experience event that combines "Thousand-year Imperial Examination Culture" with "Young Researchers" - UNNC PGR Navigation Oasis - Navigate Cicheng" -was held in the ancient city of Cicheng, Jiangbei District, Ningbo. As the "Premier Town of Imperial Scholars" in eastern Zhejiang, Cicheng provided a unique backdrop for postgraduate research (PGR) students from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) to create a cultural resonance that bridged ancient and modern times and spanned the globe, inspired by the traditional imperial examination process.
The event was organised by the UNNC Graduate School, the Cicheng Town People's Government, and Cicheng Ancient Town Tourism Development Company, with the goal of revitalizing the Thousand-Year Imperial Examination culture through an innovative approach combining "Young Researchers, International Education, and Local Cultural Exploration." On the day of the event, three teams composed of Chinese and international postgraduate students from various disciplines at UNNC set off from the Exam Hall Museum to undertake a three-stage challenge: the Provincial Examination, the Metropolitan Examination, and the Palace Examination.
Additionally, on the morning of 16th October, the UNNC Graduate School collaborated with the UNNC Doctoral Association to organise a visit for PGR students to Ningbo Tech-inno Health Technology Company. in Cicheng. This exchange activity aimed to establish a university-enterprise dialogue platform and promote deeper integration between academic research and industrial practice.
PGR Navigation Oasis offers more than a programme—it provides a transformative journey. A journey marked by the convergence of cultural depth and industrial insight, and by collaboration bridging different disciplines. Within this environment, postgraduate research (PGR) students are no longer constrained by academic isolation; instead, they find guidance through engagement with real-world challenges and cultural inspiration, becoming integral members of a dynamic and interconnected academic community in the PGR Navigation Oasis.
Published on 22 October 2025