35 Hope’s sub-agents across China joined a 3-day conference in Ningbo and Xinchang, Zhejiang Province from 13-15 March, to discuss the changing market and the solution to the challenge. The conference includes seminar, campus tour of Nottingham University Ningbo Campus, charity pickleball tournament for autistic children and hiking along the picturesque ‘ancient path for salt merchants’ in Xinchang county.

On the first day, partners came to University of Nottingham Ningbo campus to enjoy a campus tour and learn more about this first Sino-foreign joint venture university established in 2004. A group of autism children from local special education school, Oliver Tree Autism Rehabilitation Centre, joined the tour later and had an interaction game with Hope’s partner agents. It perhaps was the first time for these children to visit a world-famous university.

In the evening, a charity pickleball tournament was held, and the prizes finally were donated to the local autism rehabilitation centre. 2 April is World Autism Awareness Day, and before that day, Hope has been organizing various charity events every year for almost 14 years.

On the second day, the conference was held at UNNC. Mr. Daniel Zheng, Hope’s Managing Director gave an opening speech themed Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainable Development –the Way to Survive the Changing Market. He’s not only express Hope’s business notion and experience in the past 25 years, but also introduced Hope’s new programmes which are Study in China and Study Tour for 50+. He reiterated the importance of innovation and sustainablity in business and call for building a healthy eco-environment in international education industry. Hope’s partners also introduced the market situation in their home cities and were all excited to develop a more closer network for collaboration advocated by Hope.

Following Daniel’s presentation, as the host university, UNNC also introduced summer programmes to participants. Hope’s Counselling Director and Deputy Marketing Director shared the new trend on background raising market and some selected projects Hope established.

During spring, sitting in conference room for a whole day is not a smart choice. After the conference. In the 3rd day, everyone enjoyed a charity hiking along the beautiful ancient path for salt merchants in Xinchang, promoting autism awareness as well as networking and keeping fit!