Upcoming Event
ACAA Supported Event: Cleantech Investor Panel, BeijingMonday 15th March, 2010
18:15 - 21:00
A Word From Our Patron
The Honourable Dr Geoff Raby, Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
As Australia's Ambassador to China, I am proud to be patron to the Australia China Alumni Association.
The Australia-China bilateral relationship is a strong one, built on economic, cultural and regional ties which have flourished for over thirty years. A key component of the Australia-China relationship is education. Since the 1970s, well over 200,000 Chinese students have chosen to study at Australian universities, either in-country or through off-shore programs. Some 40,000 are currently enrolled on university campuses in Australia today.
Australia welcomes Chinese students and the contributions they make to our country. Equally, we value the long-term benefits that accrue from forming a network of Australian-educated alumni who return to China, or who choose to call China home. Australian universities are honoured to count some of China's finest entrepreneurs, business people, academics, scientists, medical practitioners and government representatives among their alumni.
The work that the Australia China Alumni Association does forms an important part of Australia's engagement with China, our largest and most important neighbour in the region. The Association provides unique opportunities for Australian-educated alumni from many countries to connect and receive the support and opportunities that the Association provides.
The Association's work forms an integral part of Australia and China's close friendship and cooperation. I warmly wish the Association every success in its important endeavours and encourage all alumni of Australian Universities who are living in China to become involved.
Dr Geoff Raby
Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
Biographical note
Dr Raby continues his distinguished career with Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China since May 2007. He resides in Beijing and is cross-accredited to Mongolia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Prior to taking up the Ambassadorial post, Dr Raby worked in Canberra, Geneva, Paris and Beijing, holding a number of senior positions within DFAT. Dr Raby was born in Melbourne, Australia, in September 1953. Before joining the Commonwealth Public Service, he was senior tutor in economics at La Trobe University, an ACAA Gold Partner. Dr Raby holds BEc (Hons), MEc and PhD degrees from La Trobe.