Sino-British College celebrates 16 years of excellence in Shanghai

With the close partnerships between China and the United Kingdom, the establishment and growth of the Sino-British College, an embedded international college of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, has set up an exemplary model in the field of education between the two countries.

To realize the Shanghai government's strategy of revitalizing the city through science and education, as well as cultivating urgently needed talent in advanced manufacturing and the modern service industry, USST and nine UK leading universities, all members of the Northern Consortium UK, including the University of Sheffield and University of Leeds, established SBC in 2006. The higher education institution is fully licensed by the Ministry of Education of China.

Chris Wood, British consul-general in Shanghai, who attended a celebratory event to mark the 15th anniversary of SBC on Oct 15, 2021, highly praised the achievements of the college.

"In the past 15 years, SBC has grown into a successful, high-profile example of collaborative best practice," Wood said.

Located in Shanghai, one of the most international cities in China, SBC offers a diverse, dynamic and innovative academic environment for its students.

According to Cai Yonglian, vice-president of USST and dean of SBC, the college aims to become an internationalization hub of teaching, learning and research bridging China and the UK, and attracting students and teachers from around the world to Sino-British transnational education in Shanghai.

With a highly qualified academic team comprised of more than 110 academic and administrative staff members from more than 20 countries and regions, all degree programs are taught entirely in English. SBC has formed a genuine multicultural learning environment and has proven benefits to graduates in leveraging their cross-cultural competencies.

"It leads the way in multilateral collaborations with the UK partner universities, and uniquely provides multiple and flexible pathways to a British degree," said Lee Henderson, head of the School of Business and Management.

By providing exceptional faculty, effective research, dedicated students and the highest standards, SBC strives to provide them with the knowledge and skills employers and top universities require. In 2021, SBC officially became a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business after rigorous review. In 2022, SBC was officially accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology for two programs in the School of Engineering and Computing: Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, which marked a significant milestone in SBC's history. It has led to great progress in development and is a crucial symbol of the college to become a leading international college.

SBC is committed to acting as an international hub specialized in higher education pathways to and from Shanghai and the UK for students, faculty and organizations worldwide. Centering on the three core values, it will continue to serve society with aspiring individuals of great ability who possess the values of responsible leadership, enterprise and innovation and cultural empathy, in the realm of engineering, management and culture.

"Studying in college, I seemed to enter a whole new world. Obtaining academic knowledge is important, but critical thinking is even more valuable," said Liu Xinyi, a senior student of the business management program.

SBC graduates have been recognized as having achieved great success both in terms of outstanding academic performance and social responsibility. Over the past few years, some alumni have continued their studies at world-class universities such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and University College London.

SBC is committed to preparing the next generation of talent to engage in global development initiatives and in mutual exchanges in fields such as education and culture between the East and the West.