On the afternoon of June 16th, the graduation ceremony for the Class 2025 of the Sino-British Physical Education (Joint Program) between Hunan Normal University and the University of Central Lancashire was held at the 2nd Floor Multi-functional Hall of Hongjian Building, School of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University. Distinguished guests in attendance included:
From the University of Central Lancashire: Bryan Jones (Dean of the School of Health, Social Work and Sport), Richard Brame (Project Manager, International Partnerships), Wen Xiaorong (Senior Asia Partnerships Officer), Alexander Hodgson, Patrick Oaks, Ivan Curovic, Alexander Leric, Matthew Bartlett, and Mehvish Bashir (British faculty representatives).
From Hunan Normal University: Zheng Lan (Dean, College of Physical Education (CPE)), Li Hao (Deputy Party Secretary), Yu Lin (Vice Dean), Yi Yingjing (Secretary of the Center of International Cooperation in Running Schools), Yu Haibao (Director, International Cooperation Programs), Li Xianxiong (Head of the Department of Gymnastics, CPE), Guo Hengtao (Head of the Department of Small Balls, CPE).
The ceremony was moderated by Xia Yu, Director of the Student Affairs Office.
The event commenced with the solemn singing of the national anthems of the People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Dean Zheng Lan’s Address
In her speech titled “Integrating Knowledge with Action, Living Up to Youth”, Dean Zheng Lan extended congratulations to the graduates and outlined three expectations:
Strengthening the body through sports, nurturing the mind through physical education: Uphold the spiritual essence of lifelong engagement in sports.
Cultivating virtue, fostering educational passion: Embrace the ethos of “benevolence, diligence, and excellence.”
Pioneering with vision, serving the nation: Shoulder the responsibilities of the era with global perspectives.
She emphasized that the alma mater would always be a haven for graduates and wished them a bright future.
Dean Bryan Jones’s Remarks
Dean Bryan Jones praised the achievements of students from both universities and the success of the joint program. He highlighted the outstanding performance of six Hunan Normal University postgraduates who enrolled last September and stressed that the partnership extends beyond academic agreements to dynamic collaborations in joint research. He congratulated award-winning students and expressed gratitude to Hunan Normal University’s faculty.
Faculty Representatives’ Speeches
Chinese Faculty Representative Zhang Yu urged graduates to:
Be lifelong “seekers of light.”
Serve as authentic “guides for others.”
Remain “eternally youthful.”
He emphasized that cross-cultural education bridges Chinese and Western pedagogies, with every physical education class “engraving medals on life.”
British Faculty Representative Alexander Hodgson congratulated the graduates, thanked the program’s faculty for their efforts in curriculum development, and acknowledged students’ growth in academics, personal development, and professional skills. He encouraged them to carry forward their learned values and achieve future success.
Graduates’ Valedictory Speeches
Student representatives Liang Tianyue and Zuo Qing delivered bilingual speeches (Chinese-English). They expressed gratitude to leaders, guests, and faculty, and reflected on their four-year university journey. They vowed to uphold resilience and responsibility in their future endeavors, extending heartfelt wishes to the university, teachers, and peers.
Certificate Award Ceremony
Dean Bryan Jones and Dean Zheng Lan jointly presented commemorative certificates to the graduates, marking the culmination of the ceremony.
