Graduate community in China gather to commemorate 10 years of Newcastle University China Alumni Association
On 16 May, we welcomed around 120 alumni, colleagues and friends in Shanghai for a special gala dinner to mark a decade since the Newcastle University China Alumni Association (NUCAA) was founded by alumna Tracey Peiyan Wu.
5 June 2026
2026 marks a landmark anniversary in our global alumni community as we celebrate a decade of our longest-standing and largest international network, the Newcastle University China Alumni Association (NUCAA).
To mark the occasion, Newcastle University hosted a celebratory gala dinner at the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai on Saturday 16 May, with around 120 guests in attendance. As well as Newcastle University graduates from across the region, we were joined by colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade in China, China-Britain Business Council and British Council.
Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, travelled to China to attend the event and address our alumni community at the gala dinner. He said:
“Ten years ago, the China Alumni Association began with a simple but powerful idea: to bring our Newcastle alumni together in China, to stay connected with one another, and to remain connected to the University. What it has become is far more than a network. It is a vibrant, generous, and influential community — one that supports students and graduates, strengthens our global partnerships, and proudly represents Newcastle University across China.
“Congratulations on ten extraordinary years. I wish the China Alumni Association continued success, friendship, and impact in the decade ahead. We look forward to continuing to grow our alumni community and working closely with you to further our shared impact in China.”
Professor Day was joined by Professor Li Li on her first trip to visit our China alumni community since being appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global) in January 2026. Professor Li said:
“Our iconic bridges show that Newcastle is a city built on connection — between communities, disciplines, cultures, and ideas. I see strong similarities between the North East of the UK and China: a shared respect for education, resilience, innovation, and a strong sense of identity. That spirit is one of the reasons I am so proud to be part of Newcastle University.
“Our alumni are a vital part of this story. You are the bridges between cultures, institutions, and generations.”
The origins of Newcastle University China Alumni Association
NUCAA was founded by Newcastle University Business School graduate Tracey Peiyan Wu (BSc Marketing, 2014). Inspired by her experience on campus with the Chinese Student Scholars Association, for which she was President in her final year, Tracey initiated the development of a companion association for alumni after returning to China upon graduating.
Newcastle University welcomes around 1,000 students from China each year to gain a degree, with the first Chinese student on record graduating from Newcastle in 1962. Tracey, supported by a dedicated team of alumni volunteers, connects these students with each other once they’ve left campus to help maintain their connection to their alma mater and help them in their next steps.
Today, China is home to our largest alumni community outside the UK, with over 20,000 alumni spanning seven decades. With regional branches uniting the four corners of China, from Beijing and Chengdu to Hangzhou and Shenzhen, NUCAA offers regular social gatherings, career development opportunities and volunteering for alumni to give back to their local area.
Our gala dinner united this community, reminiscing on the past ten years and looking forward to the next decade of activities.
Honouring the graduates who make NUCAA possible
The evening opened with the Volunteer Contribution Awards, paying our gratitude to the alumni who make NUCAA possible. Seven awards were given out on the night, spotlighting individuals for their efforts in connecting communities, hosting events and keeping the spirit of Newcastle University alive. Congratulations to:
- Rising Star Award winner Yuan Liu (MSc Banking and Finance, 2012), who established the Hangzhou alumni network branch in 2025.
- Community Connector Award winner Zhengrong Zhang (MSc Banking and Finance, 2019), who has created a vital platform for professional connection and resource exchange through the NUCAA Finance Alumni Network.
- Haoyu Zhang (MSc Microelectronics, 2010), who won the Spirit of Service Award.
- Bailing Zhang (MSc International Financial Analysis, 2015), who received the Event Excellence Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership in event delivery, from career talks to large‑scale celebrations like our China graduation ceremonies.
- Excellence in Service Delivery Award winner Shuijing Feng (MA International Resource Management, 2015) for her outstanding support of both the Shenzhen and Guangzhou branches.
- Yingcong Ma (MSc Geotechnical Engineering, 2007), fondly known as “Lao Ma” across our alumni community, who was awarded the Outstanding Long-Term Service Award.
- And NUCAA founder Peiyan Wu (BSc Marketing, 2014), who received the Leadership Excellence Award.
The Shanghai Branch of NUCAA also received special recognition, with committee member Shuoying Xie accepting the Outstanding Branch Award on behalf of the team.
Our Volunteer Contribution Award winners were joined on stage by Class of 2014 graduate Jing Sun (pictured), who was finally able to receive her Alumni Achievement Award in person, having received the Outstanding Social and Civic Contribution Award last year.
The award was given in recognition of Jing’s efforts to champion social entrepreneurship and environmental protection in China. Since graduating from Newcastle with an MA in Media and Public Relations, she has played a pivotal role in advancing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) frameworks in the country, leading international environmental protection projects, improving animal protection regulations, and developing systems for sustainable development. Her efforts have transformed how NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are perceived, elevating their role in societal progress.
Leiyang Peng (MSc Banking and Finance, 2014) and NUCAA founder Peiyan Wu were also acknowledged for being highly commended in the Alumni Achievement Awards in recent years.
An opportunity to reflect over food – and a dance!
Following the awards ceremony, which was hosted by Professor Chris Day, guests enjoyed a traditional Chinese dance by 2019 Newcastle University Business School graduate Yingjun Chen (pictured below) before sitting down to dinner. The event closed with a song written by 2015 graduate Zhaozheng Rui which reflected on his experience at Newcastle and was appropriately called ‘Golden Days’. The rap included special shout outs to iconic aspects of student life in the city, including the Shark Bar, Chinatown restaurants and the ongoing rivalry between Newcastle United and Sunderland on the football pitch!
Guests left the event feeling inspired to get involved with NUCAA, volunteer and support their fellow alumni professionally and personally. Here’s to the next 10 years!
Help shape the next decade of NUCAA
NUCAA aims to strengthen connections between the UK and China and between Newcastle University and its global alumni community.
If you are a Newcastle University graduate living and working in China, connect with NUCAA to benefit from:
- Career development opportunities and events
- Alumni fellowships
- Business communications
- Socialising events
- Volunteering opportunities
Connect on social media
- WeChat Official Account: iNewcastle
- Weibo Official Account or search in Chinese“英国纽卡斯尔大学校友会”
For further information, please contact the Chair of NUCAA, Tracey Peiyan Wu via WeChat: 15919949062 or email.