After nearly 30 years of leadership, Ms Christina Siu, the University of Manchester’s East Asia Centre Director, is retiring.
During her tenure, she was responsible for the centre's growth in Hong Kong, from its inception as an Institute for Financial Management for Manchester Business School (now Alliance Manchester Business School) to its phenomenal inroads into other East Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea.
Christina has also seen the UoM East Asia Centre become a crucial part of a wider and interconnected network of international centres currently serving Shanghai, Singapore, and Dubai. She has been pivotal in expanding the UoM international centres as Transnational Education conduits of programmes beyond our part-time MBA.
Her extensive network and connections with community leaders, scholars, and businesses across East Asia helped the University establish its footprint across China, Japan, and South Korea in 2009. Her values and vision have continued to resonate with thousands of students and alums, building relationships with AMBS colleagues and staff.
Christina writes about her retirement: "It only feels like a few years since I joined, yet I’ve worked for 27 years, almost 14 per cent of the University’s history! Looking back, I have served three Vice Chancellors and their leadership teams and witnessed the merger of UMIST and Victoria University in 2004.
"Though sweat and tears have been expended, many rewarding achievements have been achieved, such as the World Guinness Record on Social Responsibilities, regional business summits, and founding the most active alumni association of the University.
"The Centre has grown the business of transnational education and expanded enormously the Manchester alum community in East Asia and throughout the world.
"I am happy to be among the thousands of staff participating in the university's bicentennial celebrations. I am very proud of working at this University and ending my working life here. I thank the University for trusting me with my small leadership role and giving me a free hand to grow. Thank you, my alums, and students, for being so supportive. Finally, my heartfelt gratitude to my hardworking team.
"I am confident that many more achievements and honours lie ahead for this splendid institution. Goodbye and Good Luck to you all."
Olivia Chan will assume the role of Director upon Christina’s retirement. Olivia is currently Head of Marketing, Communications and Recruitment for the East Asia Centre.
Head of AMBS, Professor Ken McPhail, said: “I want to thank Christina for giving over a quarter of a century of dedicated service to the University and Alliance Manchester Business School. The standing of the East Asia Centres is, no doubt, due to her commitment and leadership. Along with everyone in Manchester, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, we wish Christina a wonderful retirement. I know we will have an excellent partner in Olivia for the future.”
Global MBA Director Xavier Duran added: “Christina has been a font of knowledge, advice, and support to the Global MBA programme for many years. Her expertise and warmth are widely recognised and remembered, and I will personally miss the many events and occasions I have had the privilege to share with her since my first Hong Kong visit in 2005. Her legacy will be shared for many years to come, and I wish her the very best in the next chapter of her life.”
Richard Cotton, Director of International Development, said: “Christina has successfully built up the Hong Kong Centre from relatively humble beginnings to its current Causeway Bay location. In addition to offering a suite of Masters’ and training programmes to students in Hong Kong and from the wider East Asia region, the Centre acts as a hub for the university.
“Christina’s energy and ambition will be missed by students and Alumni in the region, but I’m sure Christina will remain a vital part of the Manchester community in retirement, working with her successor, Olivia Chan, to ensure a smooth transition.”
