The search for China’s best and brightest is on, with the launch of nominations for the first ever awards to recognize the stellar achievements of China-based graduates of Australian universities.
More than 200,000 Chinese students have studied in Australia since the 1970s, and the inaugural Australia China Alumni Awards will acknowledge some of their successes.
Australia’s high profile China-based alumni include the President of Nokia China, the Mayor of Qingdao, the COO of Intime Department Store Group, the Chairman of Shimao Property Group and the Founder & Chairman of Suntech Power.
Awards will be presented across a range of categories, from entrepreneurship, innovation and finance, to arts, culture and development.
Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby, will officially open the nomination period for the awards at a launch event in Beijing on Tuesday 28 July.
“The awards celebrate not only the excellence but also the breadth of the Australian university system,” Ambassador Raby said. “This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the diverse successes of individual alumni, and also the unique and special friendship between Australia and China and the contributions alumni make to the relationship.”
The awards are an initiative of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA), a not-for-profit organisation that reconnects China-based alumni of Australian universities.
CPA Australia is proud to be the Awards’ principal sponsor, according to its Director for Hong Kong and China, Deborah Leung.
“We’re delighted to be involved in this venture to recognize Australian educational excellence, especially as CPA Australia is also committed to educational development”, Ms Leung said.
ANZ Bank, Austrade and AusAID will sponsor industry-specific awards, and Australian Education International will sponsor a “Young Alumni of the Year” award.
Award winners receive their trophies at a high-profile five star gala awards dinner in Beijing in November.
The Australian China Alumni Association is now calling for nominations on their website www.AustChinaAlumni.org/awards where all details can be found. Alumni (of any nationality) may self-nominate or be nominated by a third-party. Nominations close 30 September 2009.
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 20 Australian Universities and several Australian government agencies. 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 on the website www.AustChinaAlumni.org to receive updates, event notices and news.