Australia China Alumni Awards Finalists Announced
Successful Alumni of Australian Universities in China Recognised;
Announcement Made at Australian Pavilion at Shanghai Expo
(Shanghai, Tuesday 25 May 2010) Finalists for the 2010 Australian China Alumni Association (ACAA)/CPA Australia China Alumni Awards, a campaign to recognize successful alumni of Australian universities in China, were announced today at the Australian pavilion at Shanghai World Expo. The event, held in the VIP area of the Pavilion and hosted by Australian Commissioner General to Expo, Lyndall Sachs, highlights the ongoing importance of education in the Australia-China relationship.
54 Finalists in Campaign to Recognise Successful Alumni of Australian Universities
The ACAA / CPA Australia China Alumni Awards are a wide-ranging campaign to recognise successful alumni of Australian universities, both Chinese and international, and the contributions that they are making to China’s society and economy in a variety of fields. Fifty-four finalists were announced in nine categories, ranging from entrepreneurship, research and innovation, banking and finance, to women in leadership, and development. The winners will be announced, and presented with their awards, on July 10th 2010 at a gala dinner hosted by the Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby.
The awards are an initiative of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA), a not-for-profit organization that reconnects China-based alumni of Australian universities, and is proud to have the Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby, as its patron.
Australia: Popular Overseas Study Destination
Australia is one of the most popular overseas study destinations for Chinese students who wish to pursue international studies abroad. In 2009, over 120,000 Chinese students studied in Australia, more than from any other country. Many of these students return to China and go on to achieve outstanding things. The 2010 awards finalists are a diverse and high-achieving group, and include the President of Bosch, China, the President of Nankai University, two popular TV personalities, the President of General Motors, China and the Director of Finance at Yum! Brands China.
Principal Sponsor: CPA Australia
CPA Australia, one of the largest and most recognized accounting bodies in the world with more than 129,000 members in over 110 countries, is proud to be the Awards’ principal sponsor, according to its General Manager for Greater China Deborah Leung.
“We’re delighted to be involved in this venture to recognize Australian educational and career excellence – values which CPA Australia share in realizing our vision as the professional accountancy designation for strategic business leaders,” Ms Leung said.
Australian Government Department Support: Austrade and Australian Education International
Australian government departments have shown strong support for the awards, with Austrade and AusAID sponsoring Entrepreneurship and Development awards respectively, and Australian Education International will sponsor a “Young Alumni of the Year” award.
Austrade, the Australian government's trade and investment development agency, delivers a comprehensive suite of international business services to Australian companies entering and expanding in the Chinese market and to potential Chinese buyers and investors. Austrade Regional Director for North East Asia, Laurie Smith said "We recognise the important role played by Australian alumni in facilitating trade and investment links between Australia and China. They provide natural links between the countries. In a place where almost everyone is an entrepreneur of one sort or another, Austrade is delighted to encourage and recognise alumni utilising their Australian education and international experience to develop innovative and sustainable businesses in China"
Banking & Finance Award Sponsor: ANZ
ANZ, one of Australia’s leading banks and a platinum sponsor of the Australian pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010, will sponsor the 2010 Alumni Award for Banking and Finance. With branches in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou and stakes in Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank and Bank of Tianjin, ANZ is Australia’s largest bank in China and one of Australia's largest investors in China.
ANZ CEO North East Asia, Europe and America, Mr Gilles Planté, said: "Australia and China share many natural linkages, including trade and people flows. ANZ is a proud supporter of the ANZ Alumni Award for Banking and Finance Australia to support this business and education connectivity between Australia and China."
“For us alumni, these awards highlight the role that our Australian educations have had in our success,” says finalist Jessica Bo, currently the Sales Manager, Greater China at Du Pont China Holdings Co. Ltd., who earned an MBA at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
A full list of the 54 finalists for the 9 award categories is now available on the ACAA’s website at: www.AustChinaAlumni.org/awards. The website includes bios and photos for each finalist.
Images
Images from the finalist reception are now online here: http://www.austchinaalumni.org/eventphotos.php?a=216. If you require high-resolution images, please contact Sarah Stewart, [email protected].
About: The Australia China Alumni Association / CPA Australia - Australia China Alumni Awards
are an initiative of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA), a not-for-profit organization started in 2007 and funded by 22 Australian universities. The ACAA has offices and regular events in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and aims to connect Australian university alumni across China with their Universities and each other. Alumni can register at www.AustChinaAlumni.org for regular updates.
Media contact: Sarah Stewart
Director of Development, Shanghai, Australia China Alumni Association [email protected]
Ph: +86 21 6289 2557 (business hours) Mob: +86 1356 411 3679 (after hours)