BU’s success in China and Hong Kong

BU’s global Festival of Learning China and Hong Kong culminated with a day at the GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong.

A BU delegation flew to China and Hong Kong for a week-long Festival of events and workshops, showcasing the best of BU’s research, education and professional practice.

Across the week, BU staff and students visited several locations to showcase research, enter into discussion with university partners and potential students, and promote the university across China.

In Chengdu, the delegation was hosted by South Western University of Finance and Economics, for a day of discussion on sports research and creating global talent. The team returned the following day for a hands-on coaching session, putting theory into practice.

The delegation then moved on to Hangzhou, for a day engaging with businesses and universities on the subject of innovation, specifically in the field of visual effects.

In Beijing, sport was back on the agenda as academics from BU presented their research into coaching techniques, and the impact of major sporting events at Capital University of Physical Education and Sport.

While in Beijing, BU also announced the third year of a coaching programme to provide bespoke training to Chinese football coaches; BU is the only university to have been chosen to run this programme for the third time, alongside partners AFC Bournemouth and Dorset FA.

A coaching showcase was also conducted at No. 9 Middle School in Beijing, where BU’s Andrew Boland and Barry Squires taught some of the coaching techniques they use in the UK.

Finally, the team set off for Hong Kong, to take part in the GREAT Festival of Innovation, organised by the UK Government’s Department for International Trade. Liam Fox MP was among the guests at the Festival, which showcased the best of British Innovation.

Bournemouth University research into footprint software analysis was presented on the day, showing how knowledge and software design have come together to produce a tool that is helping archaeologists advance knowledge while, at the same time, helping police forces in the UK solve crimes. BU academics were also invited onto panels talking about health technology and the future of learning.

Alastair Morrison, Partnerships and International Development Manager at Bournemouth University, was in China with the BU team and said, “It was brilliant to see colleagues from across BU engaging with their peers in China and Hong Kong, and to showcase a sample of BU’s world-class research, education and professional practice. The global Festivals of Learning are a great platform for taking some of what makes BU great and sharing it in four exciting and globally significant locations. 

“I think the impact of this last week will be felt for years to come as our colleagues begin to engage in collaborations with new contacts and build on existing relationships and as our partnerships with universities and businesses in China continue to deepen. The Festivals also provide our students with a unique opportunity to experience real-life international experiences and help them develop as future global talent.”

Alongside Festival activity, members of the delegation also took time to visit local schools, and host an event for recruiters in China, all designed to provide information about Bournemouth University as a viable option of study for students in China.

BU’s global Festival of Learning is heading to four locations in 2018. The first leg of the global Festival took place in India in February, before heading to China and Hong Kong.

The next stop for the global Festival of Learning will be Europe, specifically Berlin, before culminating in ASEAN with events in Malaysia and Vietnam.

For more information about the global Festival of Learning, visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/global-bu