Upcoming Event
Beijing Young Professionals Networking EventWednesday 8th February, 2012
18:30 - 22:30
A Word From Our Patron
The Honourable Frances Adamson, Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
A word from our Patron, Ambassador Frances Adamson, Australian Ambassador to China
I am delighted to take on the role of Patron of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA). One of the most important aspects of the Australia China relationship is the links that are formed between people. I am pleased to support an organisation that exists to build and facilitate these links.
Chinese graduates of Australian universities are the best possible advocates for Australia’s high quality education system. These graduates can return to China to become influential leaders in a wide range of fields.
I look forward to continuing the good work of my predecessor, who helped launch ACAA at the Australian Embassy just over four years ago. In that time ACAA has amassed over 5,500 alumni members across China and has 23 university funding partners. Since 2007, ACAA has expanded to include operations in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and has established an annual awards ceremony, the Australia China Alumni Awards. I look forward to celebrating the success of Australian university alumni at my first awards ceremony in November this year.
During my tenure as patron, I am keen to support ACAA as it aims to engage 10,000 alumni in coming years and to connect with alumni in a growing number of Chinese cities, as well as maintain enduring connections with existing alumni. I will encourage all Australian universities to become partners of the ACAA, and all alumni of Australian universities who are living in China to become involved in building a strong Australia-China community that supports mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation.
I will similarly encourage Australian companies to support the ACAA as sponsors and event partners. Alumni make terrific, capable employees and business partners for Australian companies in China, and many alumni continue to maintain close business and personal links with Australia. Of those graduates that passed through the doors of Australia’s educational institutions and found a home in China we can count senior business leaders, established entrepreneurs, government heads and leading researchers. A number of alumni have also made significant philanthropic donations back to their university or are engaged in joint Australia-China research in exciting areas like new solar power technologies. In the future, it can be expected that many alumni will encourage their own children to consider studying and travelling in Australia.
I look forward to meeting alumni from a range of walks of life – from recent graduates to doctors, lawyers and engineers, to entrepreneurs, government officials, scientists, journalists, academics and arts program managers – and encourage them to stay connected with Australia as the future of our two nations is very much dependent on the strong relationships we build today.
Biographical note
Ms Adamson is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has previously served in Hong Kong and as Representative of the Australian Commerce and Industry Office, Taiwan.
She has also served in the United Kingdom including as Deputy High Commissioner from July 2005 to January 2009. Between January 2009 and December 2010 she was Chief of Staff to Stephen Smith, both as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence.
Ms Adamson holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide and speaks Mandarin. She is married with four children.