As the dust settles on a busy end to 2012 and the ACAA looks forward to another exciting year ahead it’s worth taking time to look back at past achievements and also forward to the future opportunities that will present themselves in 2013, the Year of the Snake.

 

At the end of 2012 the ACAA expanded its alumni network to 8,000 members – solidifying its position as the largest Australia China people-to-people network. The continued growth should also see the ACAA engage some 10,000+ members by the end of this year (an almost two-fold increase in just two years!). With increased activities across all parts of China we will continue to offer a large platform and network in which our members and partners can become involved.

 

The ACAA also welcomed our 30th partner university on board in December 2012, and we now have partners from across seven states and territories including all of the Group of Eight universities. We proudly welcome Monash University as a Gold Partner and the University of Tasmania as a Silver Partner.

 

A Busy End to 2012

 

The ACAA also hosted some significant events in the last few months of 2012. Together with Perth Education City, the ACAA organised a special lunch to highlight the success of various WA Alumni based in Beijing together with the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC.

 

To celebrate the visit to China by Robogals Founder and Young Australian of the Year 2012 Marita Cheng (pictured right), the ACAA worked with the Australian Embassy Beijing to hold an event with 50 alumni from an engineering and science background.

 

The ACAA and Austrade also hosted a successful Government Relations Wine Tasting, which had a warm and friendly atmosphere with representatives from the fields of education, business and government from organizations and departments such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science & Tech, Ministry of Culture and AustCham.

 

Christmas Parties in Four Cities

 

In 2012, the ACAA community celebrated Christmas together in four cities across China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanjing. In Beijing, the ACAA joined forces with AustCham to host a Big Aussie Christmas for 250+ people. The Shanghai event was packed full of prizes, performances and a festive atmosphere. In Guangzhou, over 300 people attended the event organised in conjunction with AustCham South China and the Australian Consulate General Guangzhou. The Nanjing celebration was a special one as it was also the launch of the Nanjing Chapter of the ACAA.

 

Outlook in the Year of the Snake

 

In 2012, the ACAA organised, hosted and supported an incredible 90 events across seven cities. With an ever-increasing member base and a flurry of activities across various cities there will plenty of exciting developments and ways to be involved again this year.

 

We will continue to have a varied program events such as alumni reunions, VIP functions, guest speakers, seminars, careers days, networking drinks, outdoor activities and other events with our government partners, university partners and supporters. Be sure to keep an eye on our website and to sign up to stay in the loop with all of our activities! ■

 

 

For more information visit: www.austchinaalumni.org/