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Professor Ian Wakeman

Professor Ian Wakeman, former Head of the School of Engineering and Informatics, has been awarded the 2024 West Lake Friendship Award by Zhejiang Province, China. This is the highest honour given to foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the province’s economic and social development.

Ian has been recognised for his pioneering work in engineering education, his role in advancing the internationalisation of higher education, and his commitment to building strong scientific collaborations between China and the UK.

In 2018, he co-founded the Sussex Artificial Intelligence Institute at Zhejiang Gongshang University (ZJSU), which now has over 1,000 students across two undergraduate and two postgraduate programmes. Just last month, more than 170 graduates received their Bachelor in Engineering at a graduation ceremony co-hosted by Sussex and ZJSU.

Reflecting on the partnership, Ian - who is leaving the University at the end of July - said: “What’s been especially rewarding is the progress we’ve made in cultural exchange. Thanks to the tireless efforts of many - through joint academic conferences, researcher exchanges, and student visits - we’ve built a deeper mutual understanding between our two cultures and helped raise the global profile of higher education in Zhejiang”.

Professor Wang Yonggui, President of ZJSU, praised Ian’s contributions to education and research, while Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement, highlighted Sussex’s long-term commitment to international partnerships that tackle global issues.