It’s been fantastic to see the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA) – a network for all people who attended Australian universities, and have returned to or now live in China – in full swing over recent months.

The Australia China Alumni Association recently celebrated its 11,000^th member during April, coinciding with the action-packed ‘Australia Week in China.’ So far the ACAA has experienced 30 percent membership growth this year, which has us on target to engage 13,000 members by year end!

 *Pictured right: Zhang Li, Fei Liu and Le Yu at the University of Adelaide Beijing event. 

‘Australia Week in China’ was a great opportunity for our members to network with trade mission delegates, enjoy Australian-themed festivities and relive memories of time spent in Australia. During the week, ACAA members attended the ABC’s “Q&A” program broadcast from Shanghai, an Austrade organized Australian Alumni Function with the Hon. Bruce Billson, Minister for Small Business, a Gala Lunch with the Australian Prime Minister, a Macquarie University Alumni networking event, and a Queensland Alumni Reception update on Brisbane and its hosting of the upcoming G20 Summit.

Thanks to Austrade, the ABC, Macquarie University and Brisbane Marketing for staging events during a wonderful week in Shanghai!

*Pictured left: University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen with Sean Starmer, Australian Embassy and Nick Coyle, AustCham Beijing

 It’s been a busy time right across China, with the Vice-Chancellors and/or senior staff of the University of Melbourne, Federation University, University of Newcastle, University of Wollongong, Macquarie University, University of Adelaide, University of Western Sydney and University of Canberra visiting and meeting with alumni during March and April.

*Pictured right: University of Adelaide alumni gather with Christopher Findlay, Executive Dean of the Faculty of the Professions in Shanghai.

The ACAA is also growing its geographic footprint thanks to our enthusiastic Volunteer Committees in Nanjing, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu, who are stepping up to help organise events and activities in their cities. Thanks again to these volunteers who recently helped organise our first events in Xiamen and Hangzhou. We also supported our first events in Hong Kong in April along with Murdoch University and the University of Wollongong.

To make keeping in touch even easier, we have recently established an ACAA WeChat Group which provides news and events information straight to our members’ smartphones. If you haven’t already joined, you’ll find a link below.

We’re also excited that the ACAA has been named a Finalist in the 2014 AustCham Westpac Australia China Business Awards in the Education & Training category. Wish us luck for the final judging in May.

*Pictured right: University of Newcastle alumni with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen.

Later this year, the ACAA’s own 2014 Australia China Alumni Awards Gala Dinner will be held in Shanghai in late November. Planning is well underway so if you’re interested in sponsoring an Award category or an aspect of the Awards evening, contact us at info@austchinaalumni.org.

Best wishes for Summer!

The ACAA Team. ■