Australia China Alumni Association

The ACAA is a not-for-profit organisation representing all China-based alumni of Australian universities. We run regular events, from networking to social to professional development, and also support individual university Chapters in China.ï¿½ All Australian university alumni are encouraged to register on our website to get involved.

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ACAA is Helping to Bring Earth Hour to China!

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Global warming affects everyone, but we can make a difference if we act together. Now you can help Worldwide Fund forï¿½ Nature and ACAA bring Earth Hour to China and raise awareness about climate change.

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Earth Hour is a global climate-change awareness campaign encouraging individuals, businesses and governments to switch off the lights for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March 2009. Launched in Sydney in 2007, in 2009 Earth Hour seeks to involve more than one billion people in 1,000 cities around the world, and already, 74 cities in 62 countries have committed to switch off as part of this global climate movement.

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Now you have a chance to help bring this successful, Australian-born symbolic event to China for the first time, at ACAA events in Beijing and Shanghai on Saturday 28 March 2009, from 7pm (details coming soon!).

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Please help us to spread the word to your colleagues, family and friends and bring them along to support Earth Hour. Weï¿½re also looking for volunteers to assist with publicity for the events, so please contact us if you can help with publicity or media exposure!

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Please follow this link for more information on the Earth Hour project in English, or visit WWFChinaï¿½ for Chinese-language information.

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Moving Ahead: The Australian Pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010

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Peter Tesch, Commissioner-General for Australia

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As Australiaï¿½s Commissioner General for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 I am delighted to share with members of the Australia-China Alumni Association the latest news about the Australian Pavilion.ï¿½

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Simply put, the Australian pavilion (below) ï¿½ which has been designed by Melbourne-based Think!OTS in association with Wood Marsh Architects ï¿½ is going to be one of the leading national pavilions at the Shanghai World Expo.ï¿½ It will be visually striking, representing the best of Australian design, architecture and engineering.ï¿½ It will be built on a prime 4800 sqm site close to the centre of the expo at the juncture of two ï¿½sky walksï¿½ and easily accessible by public transport.ï¿½ Its impressive exterior will capture the ochre colours and shapes of Australiaï¿½s landscape.ï¿½ ï¿½

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Inside the pavilion stunning multi-media exhibits will engage and entertain up to seven million visitors.ï¿½ These exhibits will highlight Australiaï¿½s world-class universities and tourism destinations and the long history of people-to-people links between Australia and China.ï¿½ Importantly, they will also showcase Australiaï¿½s commitment to innovative urban development and sustainable living, consistent with the theme of the expo, ï¿½Better City, Better Life.ï¿½ Story continues...

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Make sure you register with the Expo's website for updates and news!

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Swinburneï¿½s Leaders of the Future

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As an emerging powerhouse in the global economy, China proved to be an ideal backdrop for Swinburneï¿½s China-focused Future Leaders Program (FLP) in December 2008.

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The two-week study tour took in the sights of Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai with a jam-packed program of cultural activities, industry visits and networking opportunities. Highlights included a visit to the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong and Shanghaiï¿½s You Miao Migrant School.

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Swinburne alumni Mary Covatta (Covatta Communications, Hong Kong) and Andrew Collins (Mailman, Shanghai) inspired the students with their personal success stories. Students also delved into Chinaï¿½s ancient history with a number of cultural visits, including the Great Wall of China and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Tongli.

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ï¿½Looking back at the institutions and companies we visited, the underlying message in all of them was responsible international cooperation and trade,ï¿½ said Nishan Bandaranayake from Sri Lanka. ï¿½We were also shown how important local knowledge and customs can be when trying to cultivate and maintain a good relationship to sustain a business.

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ï¿½Itï¿½s awe inspiring when you consider what some people have achieved in places such as China,ï¿½ he said. ï¿½The program has definitely encouraged me to explore opportunities outside my own country.ï¿½

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Swinburne Scholars meet Stefan Hoffmant-Kuhnt, Siemen's China

With the help of ACAA, the Future Leaders group met and enjoyed lunch withï¿½ Vice Presidentï¿½ and Compliance Manager at Siemen's China and former Swinburne student, Stefan Hoffmant-Kuhnt.

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University of Newcastle to Host Australia's Newest Confucius Institute

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The University of Newcastle, a top 10 research-intensive university in Australia and Australiaï¿½s leading regional university, has acquired approval to establish a Confucius Institute in Newcastle. Its mission will be to promote Chinese language and culture in regional New South Wales. ï¿½ It will operate under an agreement between the University of Newcastle and the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) in China, in partnership with Huazhong Normal University in Wuhan.

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The goal of the Confucius Institute in Newcastle is to promote and provide Chinese language and culture programs specifically designed for communities in Newcastle and other parts of NSW, with the capacity to deliver distance and on-line learning modes as well as face-to-face programs.

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Newcastle has close and growing links with China through trade and investment in agribusiness and mineral resources. With the Universityï¿½s experience in distance education and in the offering of joint language programs with other universities in NSW, the Confucius Institute in Newcastle will play a key role as the ideal network hub to co-operate with the other universities in the promotion of Chinese language and culture programs to business and the local communities throughout NSW, and build up a bridge of strengthening the exchange of Chinese language and culture between Australia and China.

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Please follow this link to read more about Newcastle's China news.

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UWA's Chinese Experts on Australian Literature

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Three young Chinese women who are about to graduate with UWAï¿½s first Doctor of Arts degrees couldnï¿½t be better ambassadors for their adopted alma mater. All English teachers at Tianjin Foreign Studies University (TFSU), they hope to pass on their knowledge of Australian literature and society to their students.

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ï¿½UWA has a solid academic reputation but I was also attracted by the exciting opportunities for growth and development offered, not only educationally, but socially and spiritually as well,ï¿½ enthused one, Liu Hongwei (Linda).

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Another, Kang Xiao-Qiu (Connie), had this to say: ï¿½I liked UWA very much ï¿½ the library, the supervisors, the staff, the campus all left me with very deep impressions. The only pity was I could only stay there for three months, which was too short for me to enjoy the beauty of Perth."

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And while Wang Jing (Kelsey) was interested to read the views of Australian sociologists, journalists, popular writers and other commentators on women and work in this country, she was equally fascinated by the peacocks that wander the corridors of the Arts Faculty. Her 50,000-word dissertation examines womenï¿½s employment status in Australia, and the balancing act between work and family-life, which she said was a global issue. Story continues...

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UTS City Campus Masterplan

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The plan to change the face of the UTS City campus was unveiled to the public on Monday 19 January.

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The City Campus Masterplan maps out an extensive program of expansion and reorganisation on the Universityï¿½s core sites, involving new student housing for local and international students, refurbishments and innovative extensions to existing facilities, as well as a revitalised Alumni Green, below.

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The aim is to create a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly campus environment that will attract students and visitors for formal education as well as cultural, recreational and social pursuits. The revitalised campus will become an integral part of Sydneyï¿½s urban, cultural and social fabric. Initial construction will start in mid-2009. Check out www.fmu.uts.edu.au/masterplan for more details!

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Calling all UTS Alumni!

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The UTS:Alumni China Network is based in Sydney and open to Chinese graduates of UTS and graduates who have links, or plan to do business, in China. To join, email Fiona Zhu: Fiona.Zhu@uts.edu.auï¿½ ï¿½ or contact ACAA to find out more about UTS events in China.

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UniSA: the International Edge

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A degree from South Australiaï¿½s largest university, the University of South Australia, ensures that you have the knowledge and experience to take up an active role in a global professional marketplace. UniSAï¿½s four key strengths lie in four academic divisions ï¿½ Business (including two MBA programs offered in China); Education, Arts and Social Sciences; Health Sciences; and Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment.ï¿½ These divisions prepare students to compete internationally in knowledge-based industries by teaching them to combine scholarship with the ability to think independently and creatively.

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Research at the University of South Australia is about creating and applying knowledge.ï¿½ We work with industry, the professions, governments and communities around the world to find innovative solutions to research problems.ï¿½ UniSA is constantly ranked one of the top Australian Universities for research grants won in partnership with industry.

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Our eight research institutes, 13 research centres and a wide range of research groups and individuals undertake world-leading research and UniSA is also a key partner in 10 Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs). UniSA also has partnerships with leading international institutions including China's Tianjin University.

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Bookworm Internationalï¿½ Literary Festival

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The Bookworm International Literary Festival 2009 is a two-week celebration of the written word in all its glory, held at Bookworm shops in Beijing, Sichuan and Chengdu.

Ranging across fiction, politics, poetry, memoir, translation, travel writing, China, business and journalism, our programme brings writers from across the globe, giving you the chance to engage with first class literary talent right on your doorstep.

For 2009 we bring you the most sought after commentators on China and East Asia with sessions from Ian Buruma and Jonathan Fenby. Best-selling fiction is presented by Marina Lewycka, Mo Yan and Rabih Alameddine. From the world of TV and film, and for a little extra glamour, Tilda Swinton and William F. Zorzi will be stopping by. Australian authors are also well represented in the programme.

What's more, our programme for 2009 features hands-on workshops so you can really get involved. From memoir writing to screenwriting, there will be something for everyone. Throw in exclusive walking tours, manuscript consultations, childrenï¿½s programming and book-binding, and March is looking very busy indeed!

Tickets go on sale this Saturday (7 February 2009).

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Email: festival@chinabookworm.com

Call: +86 10 6586 9507

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Want more? Check out our website:

www.AustChinaAlumni.org

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ACAA needs volunteers!

As a not-for-profit and rapidly-growing organisation, ACAA needs your help! We run regular events in Beijing and Shanghai, so if you're an Australian alumni and have event management, marketing, design or other relevant experience and would like to get involved, please contact us at info@austchinaalumni.org

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ï¿½	Happy new year from ACAA! ï¿½ How time flies! As we welcome 2009 and the year of the Ox it's a good time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. With this in mind, ACAA is excited to announce several new ventures for 2009, including a new improved website, more events and more benefits for members. Stay posted for details! ï¿½ We're also pleased to welcome our newest university funding partner, Charles Sturt University. We look forward to working with CSU in China. ï¿½ Best of luck for a happy and prosperous 2009, we hope to see you at an event soon! ï¿½ From the ACAA team, ï¿½ Edward, Sarah, Amanda, Jessica, Cindy and Tracy ï¿½ PS Were you on our Beijing ski trip? Check out the photos here!	ï¿½
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ï¿½	UTS:Alumni and ACAA Event ï¿½ Stephen McDonellï¿½ @ Beijing Bookworm ï¿½ 3 February 2009 A packed audience of Australian alumni and friends gathered at the Beijing Bookwormï¿½ to hear award-winning ABC China reporter and former University of Technology Sydneyï¿½ student Stephen McDonell reflect on his extraordinary year in China. Speaking with humour and candour, Stephen described his experiences of the highs and lows of reporting in China in 2008 to an attentive audience of over 100. ï¿½ Stephen also took the time to meet UTS alumni at a pre-talk chapter function which was well attended by UTS alumni, academics and friends. ï¿½ UTS and ACAA both wish to thank Stephen forï¿½ for sharing his China experiences with us. ï¿½ ï¿½ Visit our websiteï¿½ for more pictures.	ï¿½
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ALUMNI PROFILE

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Jun (Justin) Zhang

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Procurement Manager, Starbucks Greater China

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MBA, University of

Technology Sydney, 2004

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1. What do you like most about your current job?

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Starbucks is one of the most successful cafï¿½ and coffee companies in the world, operating around 17,000 stores globally. The thing I like most about working for Starbucks is the company culture. At Starbucks, the people are the cornerstone of the company. Starbucksï¿½ management style respects the contribution of all employees, and their commitment to the company. Starbucks is listed as one of the top 10 ï¿½Most Admiredï¿½ companies in the U.S.

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ï¿½ 2. Tell us about a typical day at work.

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We have monthly objectives and goals that we commit to at the beginning of each year. A typical day at work involves following the schedule for each project. The whole procurement team will focus on several tasks, including new product sourcing, cost analysis, supplier management and alignment with product launch timelines.

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ï¿½ 3. What are the biggest challenges facing your industry in the next year?

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As we all know, the economic crisis will be the biggest challenge for most companies in 2009. The cafe and food industry is far from immune to the downturn. On the other hand, the crisis can present opportunities as well, and in my industry we will focus on improving our service and efficiency.

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ï¿½ 4. Why did you choose to study in Australia, and how did it help with your career?

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Firstly, the Australian academic environment provides great conditions for international students to improve their life skills and communication skills. Secondly, Australia is a great place to learn more about Western work environments and transparent business operations. Finally, the Australian people are the most friendly and helpful that you may meet, they accept different cultures and show respect for every individual. These things have helped me improve my career opportunities, business networks, and even business philosophy.ï¿½

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Do you know an interesting alumni? Let us know and we can profile them for our next newsletter!

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The ACAA proudly acknowledges its funding partners:

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Gold Partners

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