The University of Edinburgh’s Joint Institute with Zhejiang University was presented with the Education Institutional Partnership of the Year Award at the British Business Awards in China at the awards dinner in Beijing on Thursday 15 November.

The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE), is a leading transnational education partnership in the field of Biomedical Sciences. Judges were impressed with the wide-ranging scope of the ZJE partnership that includes joint degree programmes, student and staff exchange and the establishment of a joint research centre. Judges commented that the strategic nature of the partnership clearly responded to UK-China relationship priorities and demonstrated continued ambitions to drive forward UK-China educational partnerships.

Other shortlisted candidates for the award included the University of Reading, New College Lanarkshire, the University of Birmingham and NPTC Colleges.

The Education Institutional Partnership of the Year award, sponsored by the British Council, celebrates the significant contribution of UK education institutions to the UK-China education relationship. The award highlights the important role UK education institutions play in the China business community, in terms of responding to and generating new business leads and deepening engagement between both countries.

About the British Business Awards

Organised by the British Chamber of Commerce Beijing, the British Business Awards recognise and promote excellence in innovation, enterprise and endeavour in the British and Chinese business communities. Covering nine categories, the awards showcase organisations and individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to trade and investment in China. More information about the awards can be found here.


Professor Sue Welburn, Vice-Principal Global Access, University of Edinburgh and Professor Mike Shipston, Dean of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, are presented with the Education Institutional Partnership of the Year Award by Matthew Knowles, East China Area Director, British Council