Upcoming Event
ACAA Supported Event: Sydney Childrens' Choir Concert (Tianjin)Sunday 1st August, 2010
19:30 - 21:30
新闻
- Become a Member of CPA Australia
- Griffith University researchers awarded over $4.23 million
- Celebrating 30 Years: Melbourne and Tianjin
- UTS receives $25 million gift from Kingold Group Chairman
- Adventurous Ideas at the Expo
- Subtropical Cities 2011 -- Queensland University of Technology
- Australia China Futures Dialogue: Queensland Treasurer addresses Chinese leadership on public sector innovation
- Rewarding Partnerships：Queensland-China Education and Training Awards for Excellence
- The Mozzies Association - Mongolian graduates of Australian universities
- Ten new super science fellowships for UWA
- Australian Alumni Awards to Recognize Outstanding Talent in China
- Australia China Alumni Awards 2010 - Open for Nominations (Beijing Today 31 March 2010)
- Meridians Shanghai 2010: Art & Sound in Public Space Project
- Fine Design – QUT industrial design graduate and 2009 Australia China Alumni Award winner Dr Chao Zhao featured in QUT alumni magazine, Feb 2010 edition
- Second hand office furniture (Shanghai)
- AUSTRALIA CHINA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GETS EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN PAVILION TOUR
- Education: Australia, China look to the future
- The 3rd edition of Expat Show Beijing
- PRESIDENT HU JINTAO VISITS THE AUSTRALIAN PAVILION
- Harvard, Oxford lose to Sydney University in debating
- QUT Scholarship Course
- Famous Australian choreographer teams up with Shanghai ballet
- Spread the word, become a CPA(Aust.)
- CAELP 10th Anniversary Celebration Successfully Held
- 2009 Alumni Award Finalist in the Press
- USyd Researchers in World First to Provide Super Efficient Solar Cells
- Study Queensland Seminar
- Alumni in the Press!
- Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2009 Guangzhou Concert
- Now Recruiting: Australian pavilion at World Expo 2010
- ACAA's partner universities Curtin and UWA join forces in massive telescope project
- La Trobe University to host centre for Biosciences research
- UWA research project explores health benefits of Chinese green tea
- Sichuan cuisine with University of Newcastle Alumni
- UWA research project explores health benefits of Chinese green tea
- University of Queensland: International Alumni Awards
- Curtin University Joins China on Energy Research
- China's Suntech lands major solar deals
- Australia China Alumni Awards: Nominations Now Open and Media Coverage Begins!
- ACAA launches in South China
- University of Newcastle delegation visit China
- Deakin design students in China education exchange
Become a Member of CPA Australia - 2010-07-30
Dear Alumni,
To be a future business leader, you need to further position yourself to take advantage of any career opportunities that come your way, in any industry and anywhere in the world. Only one qualification gives you the edge you need to reach the top - CPA (Aust.)
As one of the world's leading professional accounting bodies with a membership of over 129,000 finance, accounting and business professionals working in over 110 countries, CPA Australia can help you build the solid foundation needed to launch a successful career as a strategic business leader.
CPAs are employed in diverse roles across a whole range of sectors including banking and financial services, manufacturing and government. More than 23,000 CPAs hold senior positions of CEO, CFO, GM, operations manager, showing that many different careers can be built on a based of professional accounting skills.
To find out more about your pathway to become a member of CPA Australia, please contact our Greater China offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau and Shanghai or visit our website.
Take your next step in becoming a global strategic business leader now.
CPA AUSTRALIA
Griffith University researchers awarded over $4.23 million - 2010-07-28
Griffith University researchers have recently been awarded more than $4.23 million from the Australian Research Council and government and industry partners for eight research projects. The University's success rate in this Linkage Project round of 61.5 per cent exceeds the national average of 44.9 per cent.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor Ned Pankhurst said the new funding placed the University third in the nation in terms of success rate. "The University focuses research efforts in areas of strategic importance to Queensland, Australia and globally," Professor Pankhurst said. "This is the key reason behind the high success rate of our applications."
Griffith received $1.63 million in ARC funding matched by more than $2.6 million in partner contributions, which demonstrates strong links with industry and government. Indigenous schooling, leadership in international relations, solar-generated power, and public engagement in health — are some of the research areas that have won Griffith University competitive national funding.
Listed below are the successful Griffith researchers and research projects:
• Associate Professor Rod Gardner - Clearing the path towards literacy and numeracy: Language for learning in Indigenous schooling
• Professor John Kane and Professor Haig Patapan - Political Leadership in International Affairs
• Associate Professor Junwei Lu - High Efficiency Magnetics for High Frequency and High Energy Density Power Converters used in Renewable Energy System
• Professor Grant McTainsh - Finding Lost Dust Storms: Re-evaluation of the last 20 years of meteorological records to advance wind erosion mapping in Australia
• Professor Paul Scuffham, Prof Elizabeth Kendall, Prof Paul Burton and Dr Jennifer Whitty - Engaging the public in healthcare decision making: Quantifying preferences for healthcare through Citizens’ Juries
• Associate Professor Anna Stewart, Dr Troy Allard and Dr Susan Dennison - Understanding the relationship between mental illness and offending: Implications for crime prevention and the management of mentally ill offenders
• Dr Rodney Stewart and Professor Sherif Mohamed - Smart metering founding a holistic evidence-based performance evaluation framework and demand forecasting model for diversified water supply schemes
• Professor Richard Wortley, Dr John Rynne and Professor Paul Mazerolle - The Quality of Prisons for Indigenous Persons in Custody: Determining How Prison Impacts on Culture, Community life and Recidivism?
Celebrating 30 Years: Melbourne and Tianjin - 2010-07-27
The alliance between Melbourne and Tianjin has come a long way since a sister city relationship was first established between the two cities thirty years ago. Celebrations are already underway to mark this historic relationship – the first such relationship established between an Australian city and a city in China.
In June 2010, Melbourne welcomed Tianjin’s Lord Mayor Huang Xingguo and over 135 delegates to the city. During his visit to Melbourne, Mr Huang met with the Premier of Victoria, toured Docklands and Melbourne’s heritage redevelopment projects, and took part in a commemorative signing of the Melbourne-Tianjin 30th anniversary declaration. Tianjin is currently preparing to welcome Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, and a delegation of Melbourne businesses to the city in October 2010.
Since the sister city relationship was established, many significant exchanges, events and partnerships have taken place and Melbourne and Tianjin have established a successful alliance. The partnership between the two cities facilitates business, trade, educational and cultural exchange. This relationship was further bolstered in 1998, when a Melbourne City Council office was established in Tianjin.
For further information visit Melbourne City Council's Enterprise Melbourne website.
Photo: Lord Mayor Richard Doyle and Lord Mayor Huang Xingguo sign the Declaration of Commitment for the Melbourne-Tianjin Sister City Relationship 30th Anniversary (June 2010) kindly reproduced with permission from the Melbourne City Council.
UTS receives $25 million gift from Kingold Group Chairman - 2010-07-16
The University of Technology, Sydney recently became the recipient of the largest ever philanthropic gift in history by an individual for a university building in Australia.
Chinese business leader Dr Chau Chak Wing has donated a total of AU 25 million to UTS; $20 million to support the new Faculty of Business building designed by leading architect Frank Gehry; and an additional $5 million to create an endowment for student scholarships. This gift makes Dr Chau one of the leading philanthropists in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We are honoured to accept this outstanding leadership gift,” said Professor Ross Milbourne, Vice-Chancellor of UTS. “We are honoured by our relationship with Dr Chau and his family and humbled by this extraordinary act of generosity.”
In recognition of the gift – the largest ever made to an Australian Business school – UTS will name its new Gehry-designed Faculty of Business building the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building.
“Dr Chau’s generosity not only supports our ambition to build a world-class campus, it also makes possible Australia-China academic exchange opportunities, which helps students expand their global vision. This gift reflects Dr Chau’s leadership in business, education and Australia-China relations,” Professor Milbourne added.
“I am delighted to make this gift to UTS as I believe in its vision and commitment to excellence. I hope this gift continues to inspire global excellence and encourage others to support the education sector, in particular UTS. It is an honour to be associated with UTS and internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry and my family and I look forward to a long, enduring friendship with the University.”
The Dr Chau Chak Wing Building is scheduled to be completed by end-2013 at a total cost of $150 million. Scholarships from the Dr Chau Chak Wing Scholarship Fund will be advertised in 2012.
The generosity of individuals such as Dr Chau, Chairman of Kingold Group, is a vital source of funding to the higher education sector that delivers significant value to society at large.
Photo: Dr Chau Chak Wing, Philanthropist and Kingold Group Chairman
Adventurous Ideas at the Expo - 2010-07-13
Business experts from Australia and China made their way through the crowds at the Shanghai Expo on Monday to share their ideas on reform and innovation at the second University of Sydney symposium.
The event, organised by the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Economics and Business, was part of the University's ongoing involvement with the Expo as a gold sponsor of the Australian Pavilion. It brought together faculty staff, research partners from Chinese universities, and representatives from some of the leading corporate heavyweights in China.
Professor Peter Wolnizer, Dean of Economics and Business, University of Sydney, described the program - based around the theme of reform for innovation and enterprise - as "an exciting adventure of ideas".
Alex Frino, Professor of Finance at the University of Sydney and Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Cooperative Research Centre, outlined one reform which is set to have a huge impact on already-booming China. The China CSI 300 Futures Contract allows traders to buy or sell the leading 300 stocks in the Chinese marketplace in one transaction. Launched in April, it is already generating 350,000 contracts a day, each worth approximately US$120,000. Professor Frino predicted that by the end of the year the CSI 300 would be the second biggest futures contract in the world and that it would be the spur for tremendous innovation and product development. "A contract like this is the backbone for financial product development," he said. "It reduces the risk for investors and reduces volatility in the market."
Opening the symposium, the Commissioner General of the Australian Pavilion, Lyndall Sachs, said 3.2 million visitors had passed through the pavilion since it opened on 1 May. "Our presence here shows to the massive China market and to the world that Australia is not just a mine, a farm or a beach but a dynamic country with a robust competitive economy, a stable and culturally diverse democratic society and a skilled workforce," she said. "This is an $83 million dollar project - our largest ever investment in an Expo - and it is commensurate with the scope and scale of our relationship with Australia's largest trading partner."
The symposium was also attended by Alan Cameron, the University of Sydney's Deputy Chancellor; Kevin McCann, Fellow of Senate; and John Egan, chair of the corporate advisory board to the Faculty of Economics and Business.
For further information about the University's program in Shanghai, visit the University of Sydney's Expo website.
(Photo: Professor Alex Frino (left) and Deputy Chancellor Alan Cameron at the Australian Pavilion.)
Subtropical Cities 2011 -- Queensland University of Technology - 2010-07-01
The Queensland University of Technology Centre for Subtropical Design and the Florida Atlantic University College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs will be hosting the 3rd Biennial Subtropical Cities Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA) 9-13 March 2011. The conference – Subtropical Urbanism: Beyond Climate Change – will examine the future of subtropical cities in the urban age. This gathering of international educators, researchers and practitioners will convene in the 'Venice of America' through this unique collaboration. The Conference will address the following cross-cutting themes:
* The future of subtropical cities in the urban age
* Sustainable practices and decision making for resilient cities
* Adaptation to climate change
Abstract submissions are due on Monday 9 August 2010. For more information visit the Subtropical Cities 2011 website.
Australia China Futures Dialogue: Queensland Treasurer addresses Chinese leadership on public sector innovation - 2010-07-01
Public sector innovation was the topic of the day at the Australia China Futures Dialogues Annual Leader’s Lecture. This year’s lecture was presented by the Hon Andrew Fraser MP, Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development at the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong (CELAP) in Shanghai.
Mr Fraser addressed a group of 80 director-generals and regional mayors, including officials from Beijing and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Western China. "Innovation in the public sector can lead to the creation of markets, boosting business innovation and better performing government as well as resolution of economic, environmental and social challenges," Mr Fraser said.
The Australia China Futures Dialogues are a collaborative initiative of the Queensland Government, the Griffith Asia Institute and Peking University. Griffith Asia Institute Director, Professor Andrew O’Neil, said the Australia China Futures Dialogues aimed to generate discussion and learning between Queensland and China on how the Asia-Pacific region will evolve in the century.
Rewarding Partnerships：Queensland-China Education and Training Awards for Excellence - 2010-06-28
Three ACAA partner universities, Griffith University, the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology had their achievements recognized at the Queensland-China Education and Training (QCET) Awards for Excellence in June. The Awards display the depth and diversity of Queensland’s successful education and training partnerships with China.
In presenting the QCET Awards in Shanghai, the Hon Tim Mulherin MP, Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, commented that “These awards acknowledge the strong international education partnerships between China and Queensland. They also recognise the achievements of Chinese students and alumni of Queensland education institutions.”
The QCET Awards were specially convened by Queensland Education and Training International (QETI) to acknowledge – during Shanghai World Expo 2010 – the broad range of activities and achievements of international education and training partnerships in China and Queensland.
The following ACAA partner universities and their alumni were recognized at the QCET Awards:
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY
• Griffith University won the Best Practice in Queensland-China Collaboration – Higher Education award.
• Griffith University alumnus, Professor Lu Qiyong, was highly commended in the Alumnus of the Year Award – Research category.
• Griffith University alumna, Ms Luo Haiming (Ariel), was highly commented in the Alumnus of the Year – Higher Education category.
QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
• The Queensland University of Technology and Creative Industries China won a Best Practice in Collaborative Research award.
• The Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education partnership with the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education was highly commended in the Best Practice in Queensland-China Collaboration – Higher Education award category.
• Queensland University of Technology alumna, Professor Han Feng, was a joint winner of the Alumnus of the Year Award – Research.
• Ms Yin Lan, from the Queensland University of Technology was highly commended in the Student of the Year Award – Higher Education category
THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
• The University of Queensland and Central South University won a Best Practice in Collaborative Research award.
• The University of Queensland and Fudan University were highly commended in the Best Practice in Collaborative Research category.
• University of Queensland alumnus, Professor Gao Qing Max Lu, was a joint winner of the Alumnus of the Year Award – Research.
• University of Queensland alumna, Li Mei, won the Alumnus of the Year Award – Higher Education.
• Ms Ma Jianyu from the University of Queensland won the Student of the Year Award - Research
The Mozzies Association - Mongolian graduates of Australian universities - 2010-06-02
The Mozzies Association has been established in 1996 from first group of Mongolians to study in Australia under Australian Government scholarship programs. In 1997, Mozzies Association has been officially registered as non-governmental organizations with the Ministry of Justice of Mongolia.
Since its establishment, Mozzies Association has been working on building networks among Mongolian graduates of Australian universities and assisting newly graduated students with finding jobs and employment opportunities.
In addition, the Mozzies Association has been working in close cooperation with Australian communities, in particular with the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYADs).
Currently, the Mozzies Association has over 140 members, which is not limited only to the graduates of Australian universities, but also include individuals who worked, or worked in Mongolia and Australia.
Organizational Structure
The Mozzies Association is a membership organization. There is a Board of 24 members, elected at the Annual meeting of members. The executive director of Mozzies Association is nominated by Board. There are three committees: 1) Committee to work with members and Aussies community in Mongolia; 2) External relations committee and 3) Social activities committee.
Activities of Mozzies Association
The Mozzies Association initiates and facilitates in implementations of following activities for its members:
- Networking activities among its members;
- Activities to promote cooperation and networking with AYADs in Mongolia
- Activities to promote cooperation and friendship between Australia and Mongolia in government, business,
- Implementation of the projects to address developmental issues of Association and community.
Projects implemented:
Currently, the Mozzies Association is implementing three projects: 1) website development project; 2) launching series of lectures by Mozzies members and 3) strengthening relationship between AusAid and Mozzies.
The website development project has been supported by world leading mining company – BHP Billiton Mongolia. The main purpose of the project is to develop a place for information sharing, networking, cooperation and coordination of activities among Mozzies members. The www.mozzies.mn website has been launched in March 2008 and is currently serves as the main source of information and communication among members of Mozzies Association.
The launching of series of lectures by Mozzies Association’ members project has been supported by Australian Education International (AEI) with the purpose for Mozzies members to share knowledge and skills received from the Australian universities. There were a number of lectures organized through this project: ‘Web 2.0 technologies” has been carried out in June 2008; “What should you know when applying for Australian universities” has been organized in June 2009. More lectures are planned in 2010.
The strengthening linkage between AusAid and Mozzies project has been funded by AusAid and started to implement from April 2010.
Contact information:
Ms. L. Ariunaa,
Executive Director,
Mozzies Association,
Suite 207, National Information Technology Park building,
Baga toiruu-49, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Phone/Fax: 976-11-328570;
Email: ariunaa@mozzies.mn
Web: www.mozzies.mn
Ten new super science fellowships for UWA - 2010-04-11
The University of Western Australia has been allocated 10 new Fellowships under the Australian Government's $27.2 million Super Science Fellowships scheme, aimed at attracting the world's best researchers.
The University will receive $2,784,000 over two years, the largest funding allocation given to any Australian university or research institute under the scheme.
The Super Science Fellowships scheme aims to attract the best and brightest early-career researchers from within Australia and around the world in three key areas: space science and astronomy; marine and climate sciences; and future industries research - biotechnology and nanotechnology.
"These Fellowships will enable The University of Western Australia to continue to develop its research into areas of importance to Australia while providing opportunities for our most promising early-career researchers," UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said.
"The number of fellowships awarded to our University, which received ten per cent of the total funding allocated, recognise the contribution we are making to crucial national and international research."
The Australian Research Council, which administers the scheme, approved five Fellows to begin at UWA in 2010.
Two of the five Super Science Fellowships allocated to the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) will be based at UWA. ICRAR is playing a significant strategic role in Australia's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array, as an international mega-science project.
An additional three Super Science Fellows (within the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology) will research novel biotechnology-based solutions that can be implemented in a variety of cereal crops to reduce the use of phosphate fertiliser in agriculture and unlock the large phosphate pool not used by plants in soil.
In the second round of the scheme for projects starting in 2011, two UWA projects have received funding for another five approved Super Science Fellowships.
Two Super Science Fellowships have been allocated to a successful proposal that will determine how the survival of one of the world's most pristine and best preserved coral reefs, Ningaloo Reef, is linked to the response of Australia's Indian Ocean to climate change. Three Fellows have been approved under a proposal for a fundamental study of electronic transport in advanced semiconductor nanostructures.
UWA will now undertake a process of competitive national and international recruitment to fill the fellowship positions.
Australian Alumni Awards to Recognize Outstanding Talent in China - 2010-04-07
The search for China’s best and brightest is on once again, with the launch of nominations for the second annual Australia China Alumni Awards, a wide-ranging campaign to recognise the fantastic and diverse achievements of Australian university alumni in China, both local and expatriate.
More than 200,000 Chinese students have studied in Australia since the 1970s, and the Australia China Alumni Awards sets out to acknowledge some of their successes.
Held for the first time in 2009, the winners were presented with awards at a gala dinner in Beijing, hosted by the Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby. The Awards will be significantly expanded in 2010 with nine Awards being presented across a range of categories, from entrepreneurship, to research and innovation, to banking and finance, to ICT, New media and development.
2009 finalists included Dr Shi Zhengrong, Founder of Suntech Power Holdings; Xu Rongmao, Founder and Chairman of the Shimao Property Group; Colin Giles, President of Nokia, China; and Lu Xiaoping, the Deputy Director of International Cooperation at China’s National Ministry for Agriculture.
The 2010 finalists will be announced at a VIP, invitation-only reception at the Australian pavilion at Shanghai World Expo on May 25th, 2010. Award winners will receive their trophies at a high-profile five star gala awards dinner in Shanghai on Saturday, 10th July 2010.
“The awards celebrate the very best of the Australian university system through highlighting alumni success in China in a range of fields,” said Iain Watt, Minister-Counsellor for Education at the Australian Embassy in Beijing and Chair of the 2010 Awards judging panel. “The awards showcase diverse individual achievements as well as the unique and special friendship between Australia and China and the contributions alumni make to the relationship.”
The awards are an initiative of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA), a not-for-profit organisation that reconnects China-based alumni of Australian universities.
CPA Australia, one of the largest and most recognized accounting bodies in the world with more than 129,000 members in over 110 countries, is proud to be the Awards’ principal sponsor, according to its General Manager for Greater China Deborah Leung.
“We’re delighted to be involved in this venture to recognize Australian educational and career excellence – values which CPA Australia share in realising our vision as the professional accountancy designation for strategic business leaders,” Ms Leung said.
Australian government departments have shown strong support for the awards, with Austrade and AusAID sponsoring Entrepreneurship and Development awards respectively, and Australian Education International sponsoring the “Young Alumni of the Year” award. Business Events Sydney is also involved, and will sponsor an award for Research and Innovation.
Telstra, Australia's leading telecommunications and information services provider, which has entered into partnerships with some of the leading players in key online advertising industry segments and leading Mobile Value Added Service (MVAS) and mobile advertising segments in China, will sponsor the Award for ICT and New Media. Telstra Sensis China CEO, Mr Robert Rath said: “We believe the local talents like outstanding Chinese graduates from Australian universities have a vital role in developing China’s ICT and new media industry. We are proud to be the sponsor of the award to recognize people’s great achievements and to foster the industry’s advancement in China.”
IELTS, the globally recognised test to measure a candidate’s ability to communicate in English is also a supporter, and will be sponsoring an award for Women in Leadership. “For me, the really inspiring part of the IELTS story is the contribution it has made to helping millions of young, ambitious Chinese realise their dreams by opening up life-changing opportunities for overseas study, work and immigration. We’re delighted to sponsor an award that recognises the valuable contribution Chinese graduates from Australia are making,” says James Shipton, Director Examinations Services, Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy China.
Two other high-profile Australian companies in China, ANZ Bank and Mallesons Stephen Jaques will sponsor awards for banking and finance, and corporate achievement, respectively.
The Australian China Alumni Association is now calling for nominations on their website www.AustChinaAlumni.org/awards where all details can be found. Alumni (of any nationality) may self-nominate or be nominated by a third-party. Nominations close 19 April 2010.
High-resolution images from the 2009 awards event are available for use with articles. They can be downloaded here: http://www.austchinaalumni.org/awards/media.php.
About: The Australia China Alumni Assocation / CPA Australia - Australia China Alumni Awards are an initiative of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA), a not-for-profit organization started in 2007 and funded by 21 Australian universities. The ACAA has offices and regular events in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and aims to connect Australian university alumni across China with their Universities and each other. Alumni can register at www.AustChinaAlumni.org for regular updates.
Media contact: Sarah Stewart
Director of Development, Australia China Alumni Association Sarah@AustChinaAlumni.org
Ph: +86 21 6289 2557 (business hours) Mob: +86 135 6411 3679 (after hours)
Australia China Alumni Awards 2010 - Open for Nominations (Beijing Today 31 March 2010) - 2010-04-02
By Zhao Hongyi
The Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA) and CPA Australia are now accepting nominations for the annual Australia China Alumni Awards.
The awards aim to celebrate the achievements of China-based Australian university alumni across a variety of fields, through recognitions in areas like entrepreneurship, research and innovation, new media and community service.
This year, the ACAA is giving away nine awards, including two news ones: the IELTS Alumni Award for Women in Leadership and the Telstra Alumni Award for Internet Communication Technology and New Media.
For nominations to be valid, the nominating person must obtain consent from the nominee.
Alumni are permitted to nominate themselves, but must refer someone who will second their nomination; both Chinese and English language speakers are accepted.
“Alumni” pertain to Chinese nationals who have studied in Australia, graduates of a China-based joint program with Australia and Australians who have made China their home.
This is the Australia China Alumni Awards’ second year, and the awards presentation will be held in Shanghai on July 10. There will also be a reception for finalists at the Shanghai Expo’s Australian Pavilion on May 25.
Last year’s awardees include Wng Mao Hui, chairman and executive director of Shimao Property Holdings; Lawrence Lam, vice president of finance at Mary Kay China; and Chao Zhao, deputy head of Tsinghua University’s industrial design department.
Nomination forms and additional information can be found online at austchinaalumni.org/awards. Aside from submissions online, ACAA also accepts nominations via fax and mail. The deadline for nominations is April 19.
Nomination forms may be sent to:
Sarah Stewart
Suite 1007, OOCL Plaza, 841 Yan’an Zhong Lu, Jing’an District, Shanghai 200040
Tel: 021 6289 2557
Fax: 021 6289 2554
Email: awards@austchinaalumni.org
Meridians Shanghai 2010: Art & Sound in Public Space Project - 2010-03-30
‘Meridians Shanghai 2010: Transdisciplinary Art & Sound in Public Space Project’ (Meridians) is an international collaboration between RMIT University, Melbourne and East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai to create a contemporary public artwork for the Victorian Cultural Program towards Australia’s contribution to Expo Shanghai China 2010.
The project aims to reinforce connections between public urban contemporary art and international collaborative practices between China and Australia in a university research context.
In 2008 ECNU initiated the project through an invitation to RMIT to develop a collaborative public art project. In early 2009 the RMIT Design Research Institute - Intervention through Art's Seeding Grant Program, provided funding to develop the project concept. The project was formally pre-launched by the RMIT Vice Chancellor, Margaret Gardener, in December 2009.
A team of Australian and Chinese artists will use themes of natural energy and urban environments to create the artwork over April and May 2010 on the top of a multi-storey building under construction in Minhang, Shanghai.
Meridians will be officially launched in Shanghai during Victoria Week (17-21 May 2010) at Expo.
The RMIT project team consists of Geoff Hogg, Art in Public Space Program Director, School of Art, and Public Art Researchers / RMIT Alumni Clare Leporati, Tammy Wong, Rupa Ramanathan, Claire Tracey and Joanna Buckley.
The ECNU project team is led by Professor Zhou Chang Jiang, Deputy Dean, School of Fine Art and Researcher Chenxi.
RMIT Alumnus, Cameron Robbins, is the lead Australian collaborating artist. Cameron studied Fine Art (Sculpture) at RMIT University and the Victorian College of the Arts during the 1980s. He has lectured in Art in Public Space at RMIT since 2000. Most recently he was awarded The Contempora Sponsors Award (2008). He has produced site-specific installations focused on harnessing natural elements around Australia and internationally for 20-years.
Meridians is a project of the RMIT Design Research Institute supported by the College of Design and Social Context, School of Art, and Alumni & Development.
Meridians is supported by the Commonwealth through the Australian International Cultural Council and the Australia-China Council, initiatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Meridians is also supported through the State of Victoria through the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, and Arts Victoria.
For more information visit the Meridians site (www.rmit.edu.au/art/meridians).
Fine Design – QUT industrial design graduate and 2009 Australia China Alumni Award winner Dr Chao Zhao featured in QUT alumni magazine, Feb 2010 edition - 2010-03-12
Please click here to view the article.
Second hand office furniture (Shanghai) - 2010-03-11
Our company is moving to a new office, current furniture do not fit in. We want to sell them. There are 4 set of office desks, and 1 meeting table with chairs, all were purchased in June 2009. They are still in a very good condition, in guaranty period. It was total RMB15,900, now we want around 50% off to sell, and price is negotiable.
Please contact Min Bian at min@mystaff.com.au if you want to buy.
Please click here to view more information.
AUSTRALIA CHINA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GETS EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN PAVILION TOUR - 2010-03-01
Media Release
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date: Tuesday 27 February 2010
Release: Tuesday 27 February 2010
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shanghai, China: The Australian pavilion today played to host to a delegation of over 85 Australian university graduates from the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA). The delegation was taken on an exclusive tour of the soon to be completed pavilion with Pavilion Director, Peter Sams.
Commissioner-General for Australia, Lyndall Sachs said, “Australia has some of the finest centres of educational excellence in the world. Members of the ACAA are a true testament to this and we were very pleased to welcome them to our pavilion.”
Henry Kong who completed a Masters of International Business and Law at the University of Sydney said, “Spending time studying in Australia has been one of the great highlights in my life and I feel privileged to have been given a sneak preview of what Australia has in store for China and the rest of the world at Shanghai World Expo”.
The Australian pavilion will be profiling the education sector heavily through its targeted business program. In May alone, the pavilion will be holding an event celebrating the finalists of the second Australia-China Alumni Association Awards and a high-level forum involving key leaders in education fields to discuss emerging issues in higher education.
Ms Sachs said, “We are also very pleased to have two of Australia’s best universities on board as sponsors of our pavilion, namely The University of Sydney as a gold sponsor and The Australian National University as a bronze sponsor.
In 2009 students from over 190 countries came to study at Australia’s internationally renowned educational institutions. China contributed 154,000 enrolments to the 224,000 recorded for the whole North-East Asian region in 2009. Enrolments from Chinese students grew by 18 per cent between 2008 and 2009.
The Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA) is an organisation comprising China-based alumni of Australian universities. The ACAA serves as a high-profile umbrella alumni organisation with the aims of promoting the Australian education sector by profiling the success of alumni, and supporting alumni in China through business and social networking.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For further information, images and footage please contact:
Josh Levin
Communications Director (Australia)
Tel +61 (0) 412 533 382
Janet Tsai
Communications Director (China)
Tel +86 138 1898 6516
Education: Australia, China look to the future - 2010-03-01
Interview with the Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby
In the past three years, the number of Chinese students travelling to Australia to study has increased by 60 percent. Today, there are over 150,000 Chinese student enrolments in Australia and represent around 25 percent of the total number of international students in the country.
The importance of links between Australian and Chinese universities and other education institutions can not be overstated. As the bonds between the two countries grow ever stronger, Australia’s education focus is now to ensure international students continue to receive high quality education experiences and outcomes, as well as benefiting from living in a new and vibrant culture.
As Australia and China embark on a new decade of co-operation in the education sector, AsianCorrespondent spoke to Australia's Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby, to find out his thoughts on the importance of Australia's education interaction with China.
Q. What educational benefits and opportunities does studying in China offer to Australian students, and vice versa?
A. The benefits of living and learning in Australia or China are both personal and academic. The time that a student spends away from home will give them the best platform to succeed in their career, and prepare them for the challenges of the workplace.
Australian education has a strong international reputation for excellence. Whether you study at a university, school, vocational or English language institute, you will receive a quality education that will form a strong foundation for your future success.
International study enriches your academic or training experience through exposure to different teaching styles and environments, a diversity of students and new places to live and travel. Not only do you experience other cultures, languages and education systems, your eyes are opened to different ways of thinking. This brings lasting benefits for your personal growth, self-confidence, independence and your tolerance of others and the unfamiliar.
Q. US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman recently announced plans to increase the number of Chinese students travelling to study there. Does Australia have similar plans?
A. Each year, Australia welcomes an increasing number of international students from more than 140 countries to study in our universities, institutes, colleges and schools.
As at November 2009 there were around 155,000 Chinese student enrolments in Australia and represented around 25 percent of the total number of international students in Australia.
Rather than increasing the number of international students, Australia’s education focus is to ensure international students continue to receive high quality education experiences and outcomes.
Q. What can Chinese and other foreign students studying in Australia offer the global economy once they graduate?
A. Students who have studied in Australia are generally job ready and very well prepared to work in today’s global marketplace. This is because, in Australia, there is a focus on practical learning that encourages creative, independent thought and debate. Teachers aim to provide students with a thorough understanding of a topic rather than just teaching them the right words to remember for exams. Students are expected to develop their own thoughts and share them with fellow students during classes, and this class participation is an assessable part of their grade.
These critical thinking skills provide a sound foundation for students entering the global workforce.
Q. To what extent do student exchange programs open up political and cultural understanding between countries?
A. There are numerous opportunities for students to participate in long and short term student exchange programs.
Scholarships are offered by the Australian Government, education institutions and a number of other organisations. They cover various educational sectors, including vocational education and training, student exchanges, undergraduate and postgraduate study and research.
The Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations administers three international student exchange programs which provide funding to Australian higher education institutions for links between Australia and the Asia Pacific and Middle East.
These are:
‐ Endeavour Student Exchange Program (ESEP)
‐ Endeavour Cheung Kong Student Exchange Program (ECKSEP) from Cheung Kong
‐ Australian University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific Student Exchange Program (UMAP)
The Student Exchange Programs aim to:
‐ Increase cooperation between higher education institutions in Australia and higher education institutions the Asia Pacific and Middle East
‐ Provide financial support for Australians and other students in the region to undertake an international study experience
‐ Promote credit transfer arrangements between Australian higher education institutions and eligible higher education institutions overseas with a view to supporting mutual recognition of educational qualifications
‐ The Programs provide funding to Australian higher education institutions to enable undergraduate Bachelor degree students in all disciplines to undertake at least one Semester and no more than two Semesters of study at an accredited higher education institution in an eligible country.
When a student graduates with a qualification from an Australian institution, they become an Australian alumnus. Most universities have alumni associations which individuals can join. Alumni networks are valuable because:
- They help graduates maintain the personal, business, institutional and educational links and friendships you have made while studying in Australia.
- They can expose graduates to business and job opportunities back home and around the world.
- They provide a supportive community of graduates who have shared their experience of leaving home to study in Australia, and returned home as alumni.
For example, the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA), of which I am the Patron, is an inclusive organisation, open to all China-based alumni of Australian universities. The ACAA organises monthly social and professional networking events, publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, and maintains an up-to-date bilingual database of Australian alumni in China. The ACAA also promotes the development of individual institutional chapters, and serves as a contact point and liaison for alumni.
Q. How have you worked to promote educational opportunities for Chinese students in Australia during your time as Australian Ambassador to China?
A. In the three years that I have been Australia's Ambassador to China, the numbers of Chinese students travelling to Australia to study has increased substantially ‐ by some 60 percent. The key to promoting interest among Chinese students in studying at our education institutions is to increase the awareness of the high quality of the education that Australian providers offer. Our universities have developed an extensive range of collaborations with their Chinese counterparts, both in research and in teaching. Whenever I travel to regional cities in China, I like to visit the leading universities there and discuss with university leaders both the projects they already have with Australian partners and what opportunities exist for new collaborations. Our TAFE system is very well regarded throughout China and opportunities for cooperation in training of skilled workers in China abound.
I believe that returning alumni are the best advertisement for our education and training providers and through my position as patron of the Australia‐China Alumni Association I support the efforts of our universities to develop alumni networks in China. Our education providers regularly participate in fairs and exhibitions around China to promote and market their services - when possible I like to visit these events and meet the Australian representatives. I encourage them to spread their efforts beyond Beijing and Shanghai to the booming regional cities where there is a thirst for quality education.
Education is a topic that is almost always discussed when I meet with senior Provincial Government officials (not least because almost all have friends or even their own relatives who have studied or are studying in Australia). The links and goodwill that flow from our education interaction with China are truly a crucial part of the bilateral relationship.
Q. What more can be done to build bridges between education institutes in Australia and China?
A. Australian education institutes have strong established relationships with China and there is a very active level of engagement. Institutions visit regularly to link and build their relationships with Chinese Institutes. According to Universities Australia there are 735 formal agreement between Australian and Chinese Institutes (May 2009). These agreements include components involving student exchanges, study abroad arrangements, staff exchanges and academic/research collaboration.
In addition, a number of Australian state governments also have offices in China that engage with national and provincial governments and support institutions developing links.
Q. To what extent has modern technology, particularly digital technology, bridged the gap in global education?
A. Australia, together with other countries, shares a strong interest in harnessing the potential of information and communications technologies (ICT) to address geographical and financial barriers to world class education.
ICT is both the platform and driver of 21st Century teaching and learning. It has created the globalised, digital world that young people need to be equipped to live and work in. In most countries, the effective integration of ICT in teaching and learning is seen as an important vehicle to deliver better educational outcomes.
The Australian Government's Digital Education Revolution (DER) recognises the importance of ICT in schooling in the positioning of Australian students to acquire the knowledge and skills to participate effectively in a globalised economy. In addition to providing new ICT infrastructure for all senior secondary schools, the DER is a suite of initiatives designed to promote connectivity, digital content and tools to support teaching, ICT leadership in schools and teacher capability.
8. The new decade is bringing with it a whole new set of challenges and opportunities that today’s students, as the global thinkers of tomorrow, will have to face. How can education prepare them for this, both in Australia and China?
As with each generation, students will face challenges!
An overseas study experience helps make young people global citizens, with enhanced capacity to contribute to the national and global knowledge economies.
The friendships forged through overseas study experiences are life long. As people move through their career pathways these friendships appear in a wide range of settings including government and business. In many cases these relationships have the potential to help us face these challenges and take these opportunities together.
9. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Looking at the bigger picture, I can say that our rapidly growing education links with China have contributed greatly to the development of bilateral relations with China more generally, and on many levels.
As well as our largest source of overseas students and tourists, China is now Australia’s biggest trading partner and our economic, political and strategic interests are intersecting in increasingly complex ways. The growth in bilateral education cooperation is playing a very positive role in deepening and broadening the relationship overall.
For example, hardly a day goes by that I don’t come across a Chinese person who’s either studied in Australia themselves or has a child, relative or close acquaintance at an Australian school or university – and that’s across the board in a whole variety of sectors, from Government officials and businesspeople to media and the cultural milieu.
These alumni are very important because they understand and are receptive to both cultures, and many of them are working actively to build closer links between Australia and China in various fields. In turn, this is helping to advance our broader interests in areas like trade and investment, facilitating closer people-to-people links and promoting joint activities in every sector imaginable, from education and science cooperation to judicial training and law enforcement cooperation. A significant number of these people are in very senior positions, and some were recognised for their achievements at the inaugural Australia-China Alumni Awards held in Beijing last November.
(The interview was conducted and written by Asian Correspondent)
Link to article: http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/australiatop10/education-australia-china-look-to-the-future
The 3rd edition of Expat Show Beijing - 2010-01-26
The 3rd edition of the Expat Show Beijing will take place on 26-28th March 2010 at the China World Trade Center. Around 150 exhibitors will present their services and products during three days' exhibition.
Since 2008, the Expat Show Beijing is helping foreigners to find all the information, services and products they might need for their life in Beijing. Besides the show, we are bringing interesting features as the Association Village, a Relaxation Area, the Press Area and a Kindergarten for your kids.
NEW FEATURES:
For this third edition we will set up 4 new animations to enjoy your visit:
• Food Festival
• Travel in Asia
• Live Performance
• The Kid Show
The Event is Free! Go to the website to pre register and get a chance to win a amazing week end in Thailand, bottles of wine and much more!
www.expatshowbeijing.com
PRESIDENT HU JINTAO VISITS THE AUSTRALIAN PAVILION - 2010-01-22
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 18 January 2010
Shanghai: On Friday 15 January, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the
Australian pavilion as part of his official inspection of the Shanghai World
Expo's site preparations.
The Australian pavilion was the only international pavilion included in the
President's tour.
After viewing China's national pavilion and core venues on the expo site,
President Hu visited the Australian pavilion where he spent nearly half an
hour viewing the striking, three-storey building and engaging and informative
exhibitions. He also took the time to meet and shake hands with many of the
Australian and Chinese workers on-site.
"We are honoured by the President's visit to our pavilion," said Australia's
Commissioner-General for the Shanghai World Expo 2010, Ms Lyndall Sachs.
"Australia has consistently led the way among international participants,
achieving a series of construction 'firsts' since work began on the site in
December 2008. We are delighted that President Hu was able to see first-hand
the calibre of our pavilion's design, and also our exhibitions, many of
which have already been installed", Ms Sachs said.
"Australia's strong commitment to the Shanghai World Expo 2010 reflects the
importance the Australian government places on the Australia-China
relationship," said Ms Sachs.
"We look forward to President Hu Jintao and other dignitaries visiting our
completed pavilion later in the year, and to welcoming more than seven
million visitors over the six-months of the expo."
Harvard, Oxford lose to Sydney University in debating - 2010-01-06
- Sydney University's fifth victory
- 'A really good culture around debating'
- High calibre arts and law faculties
THE University of Sydney out-argued Oxford and Harvard to win the world debating championships.
Sydney's Steve Hind and Chris Croke prevailed in the finals, staged in Antalya, Turkey.
Oxford, Harvard, and the London School of Economics had also reached the finals. Sydney argued against the proposition "that the media should show the full horror of war".
It was Sydney's fifth victory in the World Universities Debating Championship, said Paul McJannett, chief executive of the University of Sydney Union, a campus service body that began life as a debating society.
"We've won more (championships) than any other university," he said. "We've always had a really good culture around debating at Sydney; it's always been very strong."
He suspected this had something to do with the calibre of the arts and law faculties at the university.
This year, about 240 universities entered the competition, which is based on British parliamentary debating.
QUT Scholarship Course - 2009-12-23
Listed below are links that list the Master of Intellectual Property Law at Queensland Univeristy of Technology. For more information on the degree read the information below.
www.austchinaalumni.org/Event_flyers/QUTTwoFeeWaiverScholarships.pdf
www.austchinaalumni.org/Event_flyers/WIPO-QUTMIPLBrochure29.07.09.pdf
Famous Australian choreographer teams up with Shanghai ballet - 2009-12-17
Please click here to view the details of this news.
Spread the word, become a CPA(Aust.) - 2009-12-17
CPA Australia is the largest professional finance, accounting and business body in Australia and one of the world’s largest accounting bodies with over 122,000 members. Its members live in over 100 countries and work across a wide spectrum of industries including commerce, finance, public accountancy and academia.
CPA Australia’s vision is to be the global professional accountancy designation for strategic business leaders. Its primary role is to support members through providing education, training and technical advice that maintain their professional competence as well as add value to their professional development, recognition and standing.
The organisation has offices in all Australian capital cities, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Vietnam and the United Kingdom. Membership in Hong Kong and China currently stands at 12,000 and continues to grow annually.
For more details please view from www.cpaaustralia.com.au or contact CPA Australia Shanghai office (8621) 3218 1860.
CAELP 10th Anniversary Celebration Successfully Held - 2009-12-16
The following article appeared on the China Education Association for International Exchange website on the 27.11.2009
For more information visit their website: CAELP 10th Anniversary Celebration Successfully Held
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment and implementation of the China-Australia Executive Leadership Program (CAELP). In order to promote the further development of the program, China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and the Australian Embassy to China co-hosted a celebration in Beijing on October 30.
Present at the occasion were Dr Hao Ping, Deputy Minister of Education of China, Dr Geoff Raby, Australian Ambassador to China, Professor Liu Bin, President of CEAIE, Dr Jiang Bo, Secretary-General of CEAIE, Mr Lin Zuoping, Deputy Secretary-General of CEAIE, and Mr Iain Watt, Australian Education Minister Counselor, etc. Over 50 participants, including university leaders from Tsinghua University, Peking University, Australian National University, University of West Australia, etc. and program officers from CEAIE and Australian Embassy to China, attended the celebration.
The 10th anniversary celebration involved two parts, e.g. academic seminar and reception. The seminar was presided over by Dr. JIANG Bo and Professor Gu Binglin, Tsinghua University President. Mr. LIU Bin and Mr. Iain Watt delivered opening speeches. At the seminar, the participants carried out a heated discussion over two themes: ‘University Challenges - the Development Strategies for Mass Higher Education in the New Era’ and ‘New Thoughts for the 21st Century –Leadership of a University President’. New problems and challenges for today's university development were discussed at the seminar, including the quality standard for education, the judgment criteria for talents, the matching of university education and social needs, the reform of curriculum in higher education, equal access to education, the relationship between university and government, the application of modern technologies in universities, and the leadership capacity of university leaders. The participating university leaders explored ways to tackle these problems with an aim to encouraging China-Australia educational exchanges and cooperation, as well as promoting the reform and development of higher education in both countries.
2009 Alumni Award Finalist in the Press - 2009-12-08
Please click here to view the story about one of finalists in 2009 Alumni Award.
USyd Researchers in World First to Provide Super Efficient Solar Cells - 2009-11-12
World first research to provide super efficient solar cells
10 November 2009
University of Sydney researchers Dr Tim Schmidt and Professor Max Crossley have come up with an ingenious low-cost device to harvest low energy photons, with the potential of significantly boosting the efficiency of conventional solar cells using a process called upconversion.
Schmidt and Crossley, from the University's School of Chemistry, have achieved a massive jump in upconversion efficiency, enabling an efficiency increase in single threshold solar cells of about one-third. This is done by harvesting the part of the solar spectrum currently unused by solar cells.
The team are synthesising unique sensitiser and emitter molecules to bring about tailor-made devices to boost solar energy conversion efficiencies in two types of solar cell: amorphous silicon, and crystalline silicon.
The findings, which are published in the most recent issue of the journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, pave the way to boosting the efficiency limit to over 50 per cent under the standard solar spectrum and up to 63 per cent under 100 fold solar concentration.
"All but the most expensive solar cells utilise a material with a Single energy threshold in the material which produces voltage by promoting electrons above this threshold upon absorption of light," said Dr Schmidt. "As a consequence, particles of light (photons) with energy less than this threshold cannot be harvested by the cell. Additionally, energy in excess of this threshold is lost to heat."
"By performing upconversion cheaply, we will lift the ceiling afflicting traditional solar calls and bring a revolution in solar cell efficiencies."
"Australia is the world leader in both of these technologies, and by applying our technology, Australia can lead the world still further," said Dr Schmidt.
Dr Schmidt was an award winner in the recently announced 2009 NSW/ACT Young Tall Poppy Awards.
For further information and for hi-res photographs of the process contact the Media Office on +61 2 9351 4312 or 0421 617 861.
Study Queensland Seminar - 2009-11-03
Queensland state government and some education institutions in Queensland, including University of Queensland and James Cook University, will host the Study Queensland Seminar starting at 16:00 on 3rd November 2009 in Garden Hotel, Guangzhou.
Mr. Murray Davis, Business Development Director of Trade Queensland Guangzhou, and Mr. Paul Braddy, President of Queensland Education and Training International, will give speech in the seminar.
The seminar is open to the education agents in South China and it is by invitation only. For further details please contact Ms. Tequila Cao, Trade officer of Trade Queensland Guangzhou. Her telephone number: 020-8760 7750, email address: tequila.cao@trade.qld.gov.au
昆士兰州政府联合多家昆士兰州的教育机构，包括昆士兰大学和詹姆斯库克大学，将于2009年11月3日下午4点在广州花园酒店举办昆士兰教育合作交流会。
昆士兰州贸易及国际事务局广州代表处业务发展总监戴维明先生，昆士兰州国际教育与培训署主席保罗•布莱迪先生将在交流会上致词。
该交流会主要是面向华南地区的留学中介，有关详情请联系昆士兰州贸易及国际事务广州代表处曹小姐，电话：020-8760 7750，电邮：tequila.cao@trade.qld.gov.au
Alumni in the Press! - 2009-09-15
An article profiling five Shanghai-based alumni, and exploring the strong education links between Australia and China was recently published in the West Australian newspaper! The journalist, Paul Murray, attended UTS's formal alumni reception in Shanghai in July, and took the opportunity to chat with several successful alumni, and find out their thoughts on Australia.
The article appeared in the West Australian newspaper on August 27, 2009, on pages 14 and 15 of a pull out magazine about China's relationship with Australia, entitled “Riding the Dragon”.
To view the article, please click here: page 1 and page 2.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2009 Guangzhou Concert - 2009-09-07
One concert you can’t miss this year
Vladimir Ashkenazy & Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2009 Guangzhou Concert
What’s on? Under the direction of Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Vladimir Ashkenazy, the Sydney Symphony is set to embark on a 10-day tour of Asia in October.The tour marks the first time the Sydney Symphony has visited mainland China in its 77-year history.
The concert in Guangzhou is a gala concert as part of celebrations marking the 30-year anniversary of the sister-state relationship between New South Wales and the Chinese province of Guangdong, the first such twinning in modern-day China, giving it special significance and importance to the governments of both countries.
“Mr Ashkenazy constantly refers to the Sydney Symphony as being on the same level as the leading London orchestras and a hidden treasure ‘down under’. We are thrilled to be able to demonstrate this artistic talent to the world and cement our place on the world stage,” said Conde.
A young international pianist will join the Orchestra on tour: 19-year-old Behzod Abduraimov from Uzbekistan, winner of the 2009 London International Piano Competition, performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1 and Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3.
It’s a concert you can’t miss this year.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will be performing their inaugural concert in the Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou on 24th October 2009. For details of this concert please visit:
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2009 Guangzhou Concert
Now Recruiting: Australian pavilion at World Expo 2010 - 2009-09-04
Full details of the positions available at the Australian pavilion, along with detail on how to apply, are featured on the Australian pavilion website (www.australianpavilion.com).
Please click to view the advertisement in English or in Chinese.
ACAA's partner universities Curtin and UWA join forces in massive telescope project - 2009-09-01
Adapted from the article from PerthNow by Aleisha Preedy
The ACAA’s partner universities fund an astronomy research centre in Western Australia, boosting the nation's bid to host world’s largest telescope.
The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is designed to underpin the country's campaign to build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which could one day help unlock the secrets of the universe.
At Tuesday's official opening at the University of Western Australia, WA Premier Colin Barnett said the centre would show Australia, and the state, were capable of delivering world-class technology and facilities.
Funded primarily by Curtin University and the University of Western Australia (UWA), the $100 million centre, hopes to attract astronomy experts to Perth.
Mr Barnett said the ICRAR would attract 30 new scientists and engineers to Perth and over the next five years, form a base of astronomy experts for the SKA.
South Africa and Australia are vying to build and house the $2.5 billion SKA project, which will provide radio telescopes to record radio waves from across the universe.
It has been lauded as one of the globe's most important science projects, with the capability of monitoring an area of more than one million square metres.
The WA government invested $20 million to establish the ICRAR, which Mr Barnett said would create ``opportunities for local industry to participate in the wider SKA project''.
New Zealand is supporting Australia's bid to host the SKA project, which will be built between 2012 and 2020.
A final decision on the host location is not expected until 2012.
La Trobe University to host centre for Biosciences research - 2009-08-25
La Trobe's new multi-million dollar Biosciences Research Centre will further enhance La Trobe and DPI with one of Australia's leading research facilities, providing a major boost for agriculture bioscience and biotechnology research. The centre will create 390 new jobs while injecting about $690 million into the Victorian economy.
La Trobe has recently started construction on the $230 million Biosciences Research Centre, due to open in 2012. The Centre recently received important funding from the Federal Government ($59.6 million), which is an indication of how much the La Trobe research facilities and scientists are regarded.
‘The real benefit of this centre that its going to be new infrastructure, new equipment and going to bring teams together who work the science spectrum right from the very basic research through to the applied research that can used directly in the field to encourage agriculture,’ says Professor Annabelle Duncan, Executive Director of the Centre.
Plenary Research consortium's successful bid means that construction will begin five months ahead of schedule. This is one of the first projects contracted using the Partnerships Victoria model following the onset of the global financial crisis, and is designed to strengthen Victoria's economy.
‘La Trobe is undergoing rapid change, we are growing and we are evolving. Scientific research is becoming an increasingly important a part of the portfolio of subjects we offer to our students and I have no doubt that the research that will be done here will contribute to the health of Victoria and Australia’s agricultural bioscience sector for decades to come,' says Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson.
UWA research project explores health benefits of Chinese green tea - 2009-08-25
By Lindy Brophy (UWA contributed content)
In China, where drinking green tea is a centuries-old tradition, the rate of breast cancer is 18.7 per 100,000 women. In Australia, where fewer than one per cent of the population drink green tea every day, the rate is 94.9 per 100,000.
The parallel seems obvious but, of course, turning anecdotal evidence into epidemiological proof is harder than it appears.
Dr Min Zhang, a senior research fellow in the School of Population Health at University of Western Australia, an ACAA Silver Partner, is directing an Australian-Chinese project to do just that.
She has been working on green tea as an anti-carcinogen for 10 years. A gynaecological oncologist at Zhejiang University in China, Dr Zhang came to Australia in 1997 to study hospital management. But she changed direction and moved into epidemiology, completing a PhD on dietary and lifestyle factors associated with ovarian cancer, and joining the School of Population Health five years ago.
Professor D’Arcy Holman, who holds the Chair in Population Health and is Permanent Guest Professor at the School of Medicine at Zhejiang University, said Dr Zhang’s recent successes with a $1 million National Health and Medical Research Council grant and a competitive Australian Government Endeavour Award were rewards for her determination and perseverance in difficult times.
“Thank goodness for the University’s Safety Net funding,” Professor Holman said. The funding is available for senior researchers who have already been successful with NHMRC funding, but strike a bad year. It can happen to anyone and enables them to continue their work until the next round of funding when they get a second chance to continue with their success.
“Min’s million-dollar grant, followed by her Endeavour Award are evidence that the Safety Net is a worthwhile initiative by the University,” he said.
“Min’s big grant, in my opinion, signals a new direction for the NHMRC. As far as I am aware, this is one of the first of its larger project grants to fund research being done with overseas populations. It signals that the NHMRC sees itself as supporting Australian researchers who aspire to lead major international research collaborations, especially with major trading partners such as China,” Professor Holman said.
With this grant, Dr Zhang is now the Director of the Lu Cha (green tea) Sino-Australian Research Collaboration. It will run a multi-centre program of causal pathways research in China’s Zhejiang and Liaoning Provinces, using genetic biomarkers related to green tea metabolism.
The Endeavour Award will enable her to start the other half of the original vision for Lu Cha, focusing on green tea intervention research.
The Endeavour Award provides high-achieving individuals with support for research collaboration in areas of shared interest between the people of Australia and the Region.
Dr Zhang’s collaborators at UWA include Professor Holman, who is leading the international research project, Dr Max Bulsara and Dr Frank Sanfilippo, also in Population Health, Professor Michael Millward (Medicine and Pharmacology) and Professor Christobel Saunders (School of Surgery).
“It’s been a long road for Min and all of us, but we now have a multi-faceted international research program with China on green tea and cancer control,” Professor Holman said. The public health and epidemiological data analysis will be done here and the genetic testing will take place in the collaborating laboratories in China.
Dr Zhang said early studies had shown that drinking just one cup of green tea every day could be beneficial in helping to prevent cancer.
“But to continue the study here in Australia, we will have to use capsules of green tea extract, as so few people drink green tea here,” she said.
“I am very excited to be beginning this new phase in genetic biomarkers.”
Sichuan cuisine with University of Newcastle Alumni - 2009-08-25
A meeting with old friends of the University of Newcastle was a key event in the recent itinerary of a visit to Beijing by Professor Kevin McConkey, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Global Relations) and the Director of the International Office, Ms Tracy McCabe. Professor McConkey visited partners in Shanghai, Beijing, Harbin and Wuhan in June 2009.
The Sichuan food was delicious and the company had a wonderful time reminiscing about Chinese restaurants in Newcastle and how the city has changed since they were last in town. Amongst the jokes and laughs there was serious discussion about what the University is doing with partners such as Harbin Institute of Technology, East China University of Science and Technology and Beijing Institute of Technology. Read more. The alumni shared the excitement the University has for the establishment this year of a new Confucius Institute in Newcastle with our partner Huazhong Normal University.
There were lots of ideas about how the alumni, who graduated from Newcastle degrees more than 5 years ago, can keep connected to their alma mata. While their degrees have taken them on many different, successful paths they were all keen to keep in touch, talk to students who might be interested in study in Newcastle in future and, if they can, make a visit back to the University some time.
Professor McConkey was quick to assure them all that the University would welcome them back. The University has, over the past few years, worked closely with many partners to build a strong network in China. Alumni will be key to the success of any strategy the University has to engage in China.
Photo L to R: Leo Mian Liu, Amy Jia, Molly Wen Li, Liu Xian Peng, James M Jiang, Professor McConkey, Tracy McCabe, Jun (John) Wang, William Jiang
UWA research project explores health benefits of Chinese green tea - 2009-08-25
By Lindy Brophy (UWA contributed content)
In China, where drinking green tea is a centuries-old tradition, the rate of breast cancer is 18.7 per 100,000 women. In Australia, where fewer than one per cent of the population drink green tea every day, the rate is 94.9 per 100,000.
The parallel seems obvious but, of course, turning anecdotal evidence into epidemiological proof is harder than it appears.
Dr Min Zhang, a senior research fellow in the School of Population Health at University of Western Australia, an ACAA Silver Partner, is directing an Australian-Chinese project to do just that.
She has been working on green tea as an anti-carcinogen for 10 years. A gynaecological oncologist at Zhejiang University in China, Dr Zhang came to Australia in 1997 to study hospital management. But she changed direction and moved into epidemiology, completing a PhD on dietary and lifestyle factors associated with ovarian cancer, and joining the School of Population Health five years ago.
Professor D’Arcy Holman, who holds the Chair in Population Health and is Permanent Guest Professor at the School of Medicine at Zhejiang University, said Dr Zhang’s recent successes with a $1 million National Health and Medical Research Council grant and a competitive Australian Government Endeavour Award were rewards for her determination and perseverance in difficult times.
“Thank goodness for the University’s Safety Net funding,” Professor Holman said. The funding is available for senior researchers who have already been successful with NHMRC funding, but strike a bad year. It can happen to anyone and enables them to continue their work until the next round of funding when they get a second chance to continue with their success.
“Min’s million-dollar grant, followed by her Endeavour Award are evidence that the Safety Net is a worthwhile initiative by the University,” he said.
“Min’s big grant, in my opinion, signals a new direction for the NHMRC. As far as I am aware, this is one of the first of its larger project grants to fund research being done with overseas populations. It signals that the NHMRC sees itself as supporting Australian researchers who aspire to lead major international research collaborations, especially with major trading partners such as China,” Professor Holman said.
With this grant, Dr Zhang is now the Director of the Lu Cha (green tea) Sino-Australian Research Collaboration. It will run a multi-centre program of causal pathways research in China’s Zhejiang and Liaoning Provinces, using genetic biomarkers related to green tea metabolism.
The Endeavour Award will enable her to start the other half of the original vision for Lu Cha, focusing on green tea intervention research.
The Endeavour Award provides high-achieving individuals with support for research collaboration in areas of shared interest between the people of Australia and the Region.
Dr Zhang’s collaborators at UWA include Professor Holman, who is leading the international research project, Dr Max Bulsara and Dr Frank Sanfilippo, also in Population Health, Professor Michael Millward (Medicine and Pharmacology) and Professor Christobel Saunders (School of Surgery).
“It’s been a long road for Min and all of us, but we now have a multi-faceted international research program with China on green tea and cancer control,” Professor Holman said. The public health and epidemiological data analysis will be done here and the genetic testing will take place in the collaborating laboratories in China.
Dr Zhang said early studies had shown that drinking just one cup of green tea every day could be beneficial in helping to prevent cancer.
“But to continue the study here in Australia, we will have to use capsules of green tea extract, as so few people drink green tea here,” she said.
“I am very excited to be beginning this new phase in genetic biomarkers.”
University of Queensland: International Alumni Awards - 2009-08-20
Nominations are now open for the University of Queensland International Alumni Award. Nominations close on the 4th of September.
For more information, please click here, and to view the flyer, please click here.
Curtin University Joins China on Energy Research - 2009-07-28
Australia’s Curtin University of Technology and Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in China have joined together to establish a cooperative laboratory dedicated to new energy research.
The Joint Research Laboratory for Coal and Biomass Utilisation (JRL) will combine the research capabilities of both Curtin and HUST to further develop low-emissions energy technologies.
For more information, view the complete article.
China's Suntech lands major solar deals - 2009-07-28
Suntech Solar Power Holdings Pty. Ltd., owned by prominent Australian alumni Dr Shi Zhengrong, has reached agreements to develop four major solar plants on the Chinese mainland. To read the complete article, please click here.
Australia China Alumni Awards: Nominations Now Open and Media Coverage Begins! - 2009-07-28
On the 28th of July, 2009, the ACAA and CPA Australia formally launched the Australia China Alumni Awards at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. The Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby, formally opened the nomination period, which will close on Friday 25 September 2009. The awards are supported by several great sponsors, including CPA Australia, ANZ Bank, Austrade, AusAID and Australian Education International.
The “Australia China Alumni Awards†are a new initiative of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA) and CPA Australia, and will be held annually from 2009 onwards. The awards will recognize and promote the exceptional and diverse achievements of Australian-educated university alumni who are now based in China.
Seven awards will be made in different categories, to alumni that have achieved exceptional results in their field of endeavor. The recognition of highly-successful alumni will also demonstrate how an Australian university education can help people to succeed in an international context and across a variety of fields.
Finalists and awards recipients will be recognised at a high-profile, gala dinner in Beijing on the 7th of November 2009. The 2010 Awards Ceremony will be held in the VIP Section of the Australian Pavilion at World Expo 2010, and it is expected that the 2011 Awards will be held in South China.
For more information, please visit the Alumni Awards Website.
And, don't forget to check out Sina.com's coverage of the awards!
ACAA launches in South China - 2009-07-21
The ACAA is pleased to announce their merger with Australian Alumni - South China to launch Australia China Alumni Association - South China.
On 16th July 2009 in the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton, ACAA members, friends and distinguished guests enjoyed drinks, canapes and a buffet dinner while Sean Kelly, the Australian Consul-General to Guangzhou, formally announced the merger. Consul-General Kelly spoke of the great importance of alumni networks in building the relationship between China and Australia. The launch of the South China branch will facilitate a broadening and strengthening of this network through the provision of services and opportunities for alumni based in the region.
ACAA members and supporters from the South-China region (and a few friends from Hong Kong!) jumped at the chance to be a part of the launch and places quickly filled. The event was a huge success with over 140 attendees.
See below for links to Chinese and English language media coverage of the launch:
Chinese:
China News 2009-07-16
China Daily 2009-07-17
Xinmin News
English:
Life of Guangzhou: "Australia-China Alumni Association Launched in Guangzhou" 2009-07-17
University of Newcastle delegation visit China - 2009-06-24
This article appeared in University of Newcastle News on the 23-June-2009 under the title "University delegation honoured in China". For contact details and further information visit the news website
A University of Newcastle delegation to China has been given the very rare honour of a reception in The Great Hall of the People on Sunday night.
The dinner was jointly hosted by Mr Zhang Shijie, Chairman of the JJL Group - the largest international education agency in Beijing and a long term partner of the University - and Mr Lui Xiaochen, Vice-Chairman of the Beijing People's Congress, and attended by 18 senior officials from Australian and Chinese government departments and private industry.
Leading the delegation, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Global Relations) Professor Kevin McConkey, said the dinner was in recognition of the distinctive educational exchange between the University of Newcastle and China. "This honour is an outstanding recognition of what we have achieved, and a signal of what we will achieve in the future."
At the dinner the Vice-Chairman spoke very highly of the University's partnership with JJL and said the relationship exemplified the success of international educational cooperation between Australia and China.
The University of Newcastle delegation will be in China for 10 days and will visit partner universities, government departments and alumni groups in Shanghai, Beijing, Harbin and Wuhan.
Deakin design students in China education exchange - 2009-06-23
This article originally appeared in Deakin News on 1 June 2009 under the title "Local knowledge the key to successful advertising in China". For the full article, visit Deakin Newsroom.
With one of the world’s largest populations of consumers, mainland China is a potentially lucrative market for many advertisers, but to successfully communicate their message to Chinese consumers advertisers need a visual strategy that does more than simply ‘stick a dragon on the box’ according to Deakin University lecturer in graphic design Dr Lisa Scharoun.
“Chinese consumers are open to western products and ideas, but if the wrong approach is used it can lead the audience to misinterpret the visual message and be highly offended as a result,†she said. From 2003 to 2005, Dr Scharoun was a lecturer at the Raffles Design Institute in Shanghai and she said it was during this time she became particularly interested in the advertising western companies used in China.
“It’s very important that design students are given the opportunity to gain an understanding of the complexities surrounding advertising in China.†Dr Scharoun believes cross-cultural collaboration at the undergraduate level could be one of the ways to overcome this type of cultural misunderstanding.
“Global Design Strategies: China is a proposed 12-week course for Deakin University graphic design students providing an in-depth exploration of Chinese culture, history and design,†Dr Scharoun said. As part of the course, it is planned for Deakin students to be paired with ‘design mentors’ from Dong Hua University in Shanghai, collaborations Dr Scharoun says she hopes will be ongoing.
“Hopefully through these collaborations students will form relationships they can take forward into their careers. Then when they are presented with a brief for developing advertising for China they can draw on the contacts they made through the course and on the knowledge they gained to develop work that is culturally sensitive and not just stick a dragon on the box.â€