As the team at the Australia China Alumni Association reflects on another year of rapid growth for our organisation, we’re struck by how important the Australian study experience is for so many of our Chinese alumni.
The positive study experience in Australia often becomes one of life’s defining moments for Chinese students, who have made a large financial and personal investment in moving to Australia for several years to study and improve their lives. At ACAA a key part of our role is connecting with these students when they return to China. This highly-educated, highly-skilled, bilingual and bicultural group is a key asset for the Australia-China relationship.
As ACAA grows, we look forward to contributing to building that relationship on a number of fronts: National Engagement With the launch of our third office in Guangzhou in July 2009, the ACAA is a truly national membership organisation with offices in China’s three major cities, Beijing, Shanghai and South China. People in China are highly mobile, and our effective, integrated national approach means that we stay in touch with Australian university alumni no matter where they are or where they move.
Events
The ACAA hosted, co-hosted or helped to organise and promote over 60 events across China in 2009, including social events, charity fundraisers, professional development and speaker events. We also co hosted several events with Chambers of Commerce and other international alumni organisations. Our events are an opportunity for alumni to meet and socialize, but also to hear from cutting-edge alumni speakers on a variety of topics.
Careers
Through our active jobs page, ACAA is helping its members to find employees for their business as well as advertising job opportunities to the alumni community. The ACAA also hosts interns and careers/professional development events as part of our events calendar.
Alumni Awards
Another key aspect of Australian education’s popularity in China is the high-quality education Australian universities offer. To recognize education excellence amongst our alumni in 2009, the ACAA held the inaugural Australia China Alumni Awards. Over 180 people attended the Gala Dinner to see eight outstanding alumni receive industry-based awards, and the Awards also attracted considerable press coverage. In 2010, the second Awards will be held in conjunction with Shanghai Expo with events planned at the Australian Pavilion. The ACAA thanks its sponsors CPA Australia, ANZ Bank, Austrade, AEI, AusAID and Qantas for their support. ■
Contact us!
The ACAA is currently in touch with close to 4000 Australian university alumni right across China. To get involved in this fun, diverse and powerful network, visit our website to register or call one of our offices:
W: www.AustChinaAlumni.org
E: info@austchinaalumni.org
Beijing: +86 10 8586 1101
Shanghai: +86 21 6289 2554
South China: +86 1382 610 0737
