Asia trip secures alumni links

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Tags: Advancement Office, centenary-edition, China, engagement, Hong Kong

In September a UQ delegation led by Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Keniger travelled to China and Hong Kong for a series of business and alumni functions.

Professor Michael Keniger and Professor Lin Jianhua, Senior Deputy Director of Peking University

The purpose of the visit was to meet and re-engage with University graduates and business partners to provide an update for strategic priorities and developments at UQ.

Representing UQ were several members of the executive including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Max Lu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Relations) Professor Ian Zimmer and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Mick McManus.

Beijing
Professor Keniger hosted a successful alumni and business function where he encouraged graduates to attend the Centenary Alumni Reunion Weekend in Brisbane on July 2–4, 2010.

While in Beijing, the UQ delegation also visited the Chinese Academy of Science, Hanban (the executive body of the Chinese Language Council International), and Peking and Capital Medical universities.

Guangzhou
An alumni event was hosted by Professor Tim Brailsford, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business Economics and Law (BEL) on September 11. The guest speaker was ANZ General Manager Guangzhou, Mr Allan Marlin.

Mr Marlin talked about the strong link between Australia and China and the significant growth potential in the local banking and financial services industry over the next few years.

Tianjin
Staff involved with UQ’s new Confucius Institute met with representatives from partner Tianjin University on September 9 to discuss academic and research collaboration.

The Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology also renewed an articulation arrangement with the university, which provides year-long exchanges for engineering students between the two institutions.

Michael Chen and Ning Zhao celebrate in Beijing

Shanghai
Members of the executive met with colleagues from fellow Universitas 21 members Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

New links in science and technology research were also explored with Fudan to complement an existing collaboration in the area of public health.

A well-attended alumni function also took place, with business partners including the editor of the Shanghai Daily attending.

Hong Kong
Professor Zimmer hosted an alumni reception on September 11 and a dinner the next evening to thank the committee of the UQ Alumni Association of Hong Kong for their dedication and hard work.

He took the opportunity to recognise the outgoing president, Dr Xtven Ng for his contribution over the past 12 months and to welcome Ms Nixie Lam to the role.

As has become a tradition, a BEL employment seminar was also held.

“Can the Dragon be Slain? The Financial Capital of Asia: Hong Kong or Shanghai?” explored comments made by the Chinese government that they would like to see Shanghai as a global financial hub by 2020.

By Cameron Pegg

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