Professor Juliette MacDonald, International Dean of the Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation (SCF) at Donghua University, has been awarded the “Star of Friendship” by the Hongqiao Friendship Alliance in Shanghai’s Changning District, recognising her sustained contributions to international exchange and higher education.
The distinction marks a continued acknowledgement of Professor MacDonald’s impact in the region. In 2020, she was the sole higher-education representative among foreign experts to receive the inaugural “Hongqiao Friendship Award,” the first district-level honour of its kind in Shanghai. Established alongside the award, the Hongqiao Friendship Alliance serves as a platform connecting outstanding expatriate professionals across sectors. Her latest recognition underscores her ongoing role in strengthening international collaboration and reflects deepening ties between Changning District and Donghua University.
Beyond these honours, Professor MacDonald has played a central role in advancing SCF’s global engagement. She has been instrumental in fostering Sino-British cooperation in fashion and creative education and is a founding figure behind the joint programme between Donghua University and the University of Edinburgh. Her efforts contributed to SCF receiving the “China–Scotland Education Innovation Award” in 2020.
In support of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, she also facilitated the University of Edinburgh’s participation in the Belt and Road International Textile University Alliance, further expanding international academic networks in textile and fashion education.
A leading advocate for sustainable fashion, Professor MacDonald has contributed to the development of academic frameworks and curricula in the field. She has also been involved in interdisciplinary projects such as the “Tech Cheongsam,” which merges traditional aesthetics with technological innovation. These works have been showcased at the Edinburgh Art Festival for four consecutive years and featured in national-level exhibitions, highlighting Chinese fashion innovation on the global stage.
