VISITORS from 12 Chinese universities spent two weeks at a summer school in Chester to experience British culture and business.

The school, which was hosted at the University of Chester, followed the theme of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in a Global Context.

Undergraduate students and academic staff from the Dezhou University; Shandong Youth University of Political Science; Shandong Technology and Business University; East China Jiaotong University; Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology; Guilin Tourism University; Dalian Minzu University; Beijing Fashion Institute; Southeast China Jiaotong University; South Central University for Nationalities; Huzhou and Wuhan universities took part in Summer School programmes held by the University of Chester’s China Centre, Business Research Institute (BRI), which is based at the Riverside Campus.

Now in its fourth year, the summer school programmes give Chinese visitors exposure to student life in Chester, British culture and beyond, with the aim of increasing the level of engagement with international students and the long-term mission to drive academic, cultural and business exchanges between Chester and China.

The met the city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Mark Williams, at the Town Hall and had the opportunity to see Twelfth Night at the Open Air Theatre in Grosvenor Park.

Dr Wing Lam, Director of China Centre, said: “It’s been a great honour to welcome Chinese students from different universities to Chester for the fourth year running. The success of our Summer School programme has further reinforced our solid relationship with our strategic partners in China. Most importantly, the feedback has been extremely positive.”

One student commented: “I really enjoyed this summer school, as it gave me all the things I was interested to know about UK, like university classes, field trips to British businesses, cultural tours in famous British cities like Liverpool and Manchester.

"Overall, I just loved the programme and would like to come to UK again to learn more.”