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Chinese students graduate in Bristol fashion

Professor Sir Eric Thomas congratulates a new alumnus during the 2013 graduation celebration in Beijing

New alumni pose in front of a giant photograph of the Wills Memorial Building in the 'marketplace' during the 2013 graduation celebration

Press release issued: 14 April 2015

Almost 1,000 people from across China will come together for a traditional British graduation celebration when the University of Bristol recognises the success of its recent graduates in Beijing.

The new alumni will be congratulated by the Chancellor of the University, The Right Honourable the Baroness Hale of Richmond, as they celebrate with friends and family on Saturday [18 April].

The University, which is one of the most popular in the UK, attracts hundreds of international students every year, including many from China.

The graduation celebration will be an opportunity for past students to reminisce about their time in Bristol, with giant three metre tall photographs of familiar landmarks for students to pose in front of.

There will even be life-size cut outs of famous characters Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, which are created by Aardman Animations based in Bristol.

The suspension bridge, which has been turned into a striking red and white image created in pixels and a QR code to take people to a special website for the event, will stretch across the stage.

The graduation celebration, being held at the China World Hotel, will welcome over 350 Chinese students who have completed their studies in the past two years.

Professor Sir Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, said: “The University is fortunate to have a strong international student body, made up of high-achieving people from many countries. China is one of these and we’re very much looking forward to returning to Beijing and celebrating the success of our recent graduates.

“Our first graduation celebration was held here in 2013 and it was a fantastic occasion. We know our students have fond memories of their time in Bristol so this is a wonderful opportunity to give their friends and family a taste of our beautiful city.”

An honorary degree is being presented to Professor Chunli Bai in recognition of his pioneering contribution to the field of nanoscience in China. He is President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, President of the Third World Academy of Sciences, and has strong links with Bristol Nanoscience – one of the leading centres in the world for nanoscience research.

Professor Bai developed the first tools in China for manipulating single atoms and molecules, using such techniques to study both organic and biological molecules on surfaces.

A further two events are being held in Shanghai and Beijing for hundreds of alumni who have studied at Bristol.

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