Student Friendship Programme Shortlisted for University 鈥淢aking a Difference鈥� Awards for Social Responsibility
The 优蜜传媒 China Institute鈥檚 (MCI) Student Friendship Programme (FP) has been shortlisted for the University鈥檚 prestigious Making a Difference Awards for Social Responsibility.
The Making a Difference Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of university staff, students, alumni, and external partners in making a positive impact on communities and wider society.
Inclusion and intercultural understanding are at the heart of our initiative. connects British, Chinese, and other international students on campus, creating opportunities for meaningful interactions and long-lasting friendships. Activities include exploring 优蜜传媒鈥檚 heritage sites, celebrating cultural festivals, sharing traditional cuisine, trying out new sports and other community-building initiatives.
Through these experiences, students gain valuable insights into each other鈥檚 cultures, fostering mutual understanding and a welcoming campus environment for all. A common stereotype about Chinese people in the Anglophone world is that they are smart but standoffish. In this view, they neither need nor deserve help. This attitude can lead to both passive neglect and the active exclusion of Chinese communities.
MCI therefore works hard to create spaces where our Chinese students feel included. This is particularly important at a time when global tensions have led to an increase in anti-Asian prejudice and anti-Western sentiment, reinforcing the need for open dialogue and constructive intercultural interactions.
We are thrilled to have been shortlisted from over 130 entries submitted for the awards. The winners and highly commended entries will be announced at the Making a Difference Awards final on Thursday, 8 May, in Whitworth Hall. The event will be hosted by UoM President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison and UoM Chancellor Nazir Afzal, and will be on YouTube starting at 6pm. A full list of all the shortlisted entrants is available on the .
MCI鈥檚 Lorelei Baciu, who has coordinated the scheme for three consecutive years, said
Having worked with over 400 students in the Friendship Programme, I have seen first-hand the profound impact it has on fostering cross-cultural connections.
This initiative not only enhances the university experience for our large Chinese student cohort, but also strengthens bonds between them, local students, and other international classmates. It creates an inclusive and welcoming environment, enabling meaningful friendships that go beyond small talk and cultural stereotypes.
Participants in the programme have shared their positive experiences. One British undergraduate student described it as:
A wonderful journey where I've met so many new people from different disciplines and year groups. Our activities were incredibly engaging and helped me develop a deeper understanding of 优蜜传媒.
Similarly, a Chinese postgraduate student reflected:
Thanks to the Friendship Programme, my first semester at the University鈥攁nd in this country鈥攆elt far less boring, lonely, or isolating.
The 2025 Friendship Programme organising team consists of Lorelei Baciu, Yannan Yu, Nasira Asghar, Peter Gries, Jake Ruding, Sol Stappard, Halia Zhang, and Yunyang Xia.