On 28 October 2022, the University of Sussex and Zhejiang Gongshang University (ZJSU) held the third inauguration ceremony for the joint Sussex Artificial Intelligence Institute at ZJSU.

The joint institute, launched as the first of its kind in China in April 2020, now has more than 900 students, with 200 undergraduates and 106 postgraduates enrolled in the year of 2022.

The ceremony took place in ZJSU’s Pigeon Square in Hangzhou, starting with a performance of the university’s art troupe with accompanying music from a woodwind quintet.

Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil addressed the crowd via an online video, congratulating new students on their successful enrollment to the joint institute, and encouraging them to contribute to its growing reputation for excellence in the field of Artificial Intelligence in China. She stated that Sussex is committed to ensuring that the joint institute will promote the quality, breadth, and diversity of the combined education we have to offer.

Vice-President of Zhejiang Gongshang University, Chen Yantai, gave his inauguration address in person, highlighting the tremendous achievements that our students have made in the three years since the launch of the joint institute.

63% of the first cohort of Masters graduates achieved the highest classification of Distinction,
and almost a third of students from this cohort are already working
for companies in the region’s world-leading AI and robotics industry.

He also thanked the University of Sussex for its efforts to enhance collaboration between the two universities, helping ZJSU cultivate its students’ potential for creativity and innovation.

His remarks were followed by those of Professor Richard Follett (University of Sussex Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor), Professor Ian Wakeman (Head of the School of Engineering and Informatics), and Professor Maziar Nekovee (Joint Dean of the Sussex Artificial Intelligence Institute).

They described how the caliber of the joint institute’s students and the top-tier facilities on offer has helped it develop an outstanding global reputation, before introducing some of the joint institute’s teaching staff.

The latter half of the inauguration ceremony consisted of speeches by freshman representatives and opportunities for students to showcase their talents, including dancing, singing, and Xiaopin (sketches).

The event was brought to a close by renditions of the Zhejiang Gongshang University Anthem and Sussex by the Sea, sung by a choir consisting of newly enrolled students.