Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott, who visited Shanghai for the announcement, said: “We are building on the University of Sydney’s long-term commitment to China by placing our Centre in Shanghai – one of the world’s most dynamic business and innovation ecosystems. This move will advance our engagement with students and alumni, increase our educational exchange opportunities, and amplify our collaboration with industry and university partners including the translation of joint research into meaningful outcomes that address shared challenges.   

“The Centre will continue to play a critical role in ensuring our graduates can join our impressive community of alumni who successfully navigate linguistic, cultural and technological boundaries to make an invaluable contribution to the long-term relationship between China and Australia.”  

The Centre in China began in Suzhou in 2016, and the relocation to the Xuhui District in Shanghai will draw on this decade of experience and knowledge while positioning the Centre for greater scale, impact and engagement. Its core services will include employability programs for students and graduates, including liaising with businesses across China to enable internships and employment opportunities.  

Jenni Zhao, Executive Director and General Manager of the Centre in China said, “The Centre is a home-away-from home for students before, during and after their study with the University, including creating pathways between education and employment. Our new location in Xuhui District in Shanghai puts us at the heart of industry, top universities, and global partners, enabling deeper collaboration and stronger visibility.  

“We want our students and alumni to know our Centre is now in Shanghai and we have an open-door policy – we’re ready to help them to succeed.”  

At the event to celebrate the opening of the Centre in China in Shanghai, University leadership, government representatives, industry and business partners, and alumni, gathered to strengthen institutional ties and lay the foundation for deeper China-Australia co-operation in higher education.  

Speakers and attendees included the Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China His Excellency Mr Scott Dewar, the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai John Williams, and senior leaders from the University’s partner institutions including Fudan University, Tongi University and Zhejiang University.  

Professor Leisa Sargent, Dean of the University of Sydney Business School, said:  "Positioning our Centre in Shanghai enables stronger connections with global companies, entrepreneurs and innovators. It creates more opportunities to integrate education and the  real-world pace of change in business through, for example, industry projects for our students focused on AI and digital strategy, green technology, or market entry and trade. It will also foster intercultural educational exchange in our Executive Master of Business Administration program, to develop a global mindset and accelerate executive talent with Australia's largest two-way trading partner.” 

Businesswoman and marketing specialist Echo Xie, President of the University’s Shanghai alumni chapter, said: 

“The move of the University of Sydney’s Centre in China from Suzhou to Shanghai is a big step forward that fits perfectly with the times. For our Shanghai alumni, this is wonderful news that we have been waiting for. With the Centre here, Shanghai is no longer just a city where alumni live; it is now our true ‘Niangjia’—our family home. It is the place where we truly belong.” 

The University’s Centre in Shanghai is expected to officially open in June.