Xīnnián hǎo! Hundreds of students joined celebrations for Chinese New Year at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
Traditional music, food, competitions and a special Peking Opera performance from DMU student Xinyuan Zhang were organised at The Venue@DMU to mark the start of the Year of the Dog.
Students and staff from across the university came together to celebrate and enjoy the party, including members of the Chinese Student Scholars Association, led by president Zhun Zhong.
Zhong, a final year Accounting and Finance student, said: “I think the New Year celebration was wonderful, and to see so many people here with friends enjoying themselves is very wonderful. We thank DMU for doing this for us. The care and consideration of DMU is like the warmth of our families at home.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategic and International Partnerships, James Gardner, announced a new scholarship for international students – the TEF Gold Outstanding Alumni Scholarship. It is available for selected taught Master’s degrees or professional courses.
A £3,000 scholarship is available to all alumni who have graduated within the past two years. A £5,000 alumni scholarship is available to those who graduated within the past two years with a 2:1 or a First.
He said: “I am delighted to see so many of you here today, as we celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dog, at a time when families come together to wish each other peace and prosperity for the year ahead. I wish you a happy spring festival.”
Jiaqi Shi is studying Global MBA at Leicester Castle Business School. Jiaqi, who has worked for some of China’s leading banks, said postgraduate studies was “tough but enjoyable”.
He said: “I was at DMU for two years doing my undergraduate degree and then went back to China to work. When I came back I cannot believe the campus it changed so much. It is very beautiful.”
Chinese New Year takes place on a different day every year because it is based on the lunar cycle. The Chinese animal zodiac is a repeating cycle of 12 years, based on 12 animals.
People born in the year of the dog are said to be loyal, honest, friendly and smart – with a strong sense of responsibility.
· Want to join in the celebrations in Leicester? There will be Chinese acrobats and magic in Humberstone Gate on Sunday and lion dancing and events at New Walk Museum on Saturday.
Posted on Friday 16 February 2018