Birkbeck collaborates with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association UK to host prestigious entrepreneurship competition launch
The ceremony included keynote addresses from Ms Zhou Wei, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck.
Birkbeck proudly hosted the Opening Ceremony of the 18th CSSA-UK High-Level Talent Entrepreneurship Competition and the 20th Chunhui Cup Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (UK Division) on Thursday, 26 June 2025.
The Chunhui Cup, jointly organised by China’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Science and Technology, is a leading international platform designed to support overseas Chinese professionals in realising their entrepreneurial and innovative ambitions. The UK division of this year’s competition was launched with an event that brought together senior leaders from academia, industry, and diplomacy to celebrate collaboration between the UK and China in science, technology, and innovation.
The ceremony marked a moment of cultural exchange and shared ambition, with representatives from across the UK’s higher education landscape in attendance.
Guests were welcomed by CSSA-UK and Birkbeck’s student representatives, followed by keynote addresses from Ms Zhou Wei, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck.
Reflecting on the courage and success of Chinese students in the UK, Professor Wheeler said:
“Studying overseas is a huge challenge. It plunges you into a new culture, a different world – and yet the people here today have not only navigated that but excelled. Innovation and entrepreneurship are hardwired into your education culture, and we in the UK have much to learn from that.”
She went on to offer warm congratulations and encouragement to the participants, describing them as “a group of very talented young people” who should feel “very proud” of what they’ve achieved.
Further remarks were delivered by Professor Sai Gu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, and Professor Huiliang Li, President of the UK Chinese Life Sciences Society, who spoke about the growing momentum of cross-border collaboration in research and development.
The launch ceremony concluded with a formal group photo before moving into a series of presentations from co-organising partners, including the Beijing Institute of Collaborative Innovation. CSSA-UK representatives closed the event with an introduction to the structure and goals of this year’s competition, which provides a platform for talented young entrepreneurs to pitch their innovations and connect with mentors and investors.