By Professor Charlie Jeffery, Senior Vice Principal, the University of Edinburgh
We are just starting on a busy week and a half for the University in East Asia.
We are looking in particular to support our alumni networks and develop our partnerships with leading universities in what has become one of the most important parts of the world for the University.
First stop Shanghai for an alumni reception.
We have around 600 alumni in Shanghai. About 200 came last night to hear the latest news about the University, including the new biomedical sciences collaboration with Zhejiang University that we move onto today.
Shanghai alumni were addressed by Professors Charlie Jeffery and Mike Shipston
We have never had so many alumni attend an event outside the UK, or indeed, network so avidly as our former students did last night.
Hats off to Grace and Georgia who run the local alumni group – probably our first to run pretty much exclusively through social media.
Edinburgh memories
Prior to the Shanghai alumni event our WeChat group had 150 members, which more than doubled to 342 once the dust had settled on a memorable evening.
We saw lots of class reunions, many, many photos being taken, and a real interest in helping the University develop its presence in China.
A great event and a fantastic start to our activities over the next 10 days.
We hope to be back again before too long.