International student awards

Jinxiu Zhou, Beijing China

Graduate MSc Public Policy - Best International Student – Kobra Ahmadi Award and Chevening Scholar

With sponsorship from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a Chevening Scholar, Jinxiu, aged 39, is graduating with an MsC in Public Policy and the Kobra Ahmadi Award for Best International Student.  She chose Bristol for her studies for both the competitive nature of the programme and the historic and beautiful city.

Jinxiu came to Bristol in the middle of a career with the Chinese government in rural and agricultural policy (she currently works for the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).  Spending a year in Bristol with her husband and ten year-old son Zeda has left her with fond memories and life-long friends.  Awarded ‘Best International Student’ she is grateful for the chance to be a student again and the inspiration from her supervisor Dr Wang Yiming and fellow students on “how to think like a public sector economist.”  In April she hopes to attend a second graduation ceremony in Shanghai with all her family.

Commenting on the benefits of her MSc in her government role Jinxiu said: “It is no exaggeration to say that this is a big leap in my career.  I am not afraid about the problems I have never met or understood before, for I am empowered with the ability to find the answers and analyse the problems.”  She added: “This year (in Bristol) has flown by, but will never be forgotten.”