Australia China Alumni Association

On March 5, the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA) hosted a landmark Celebration Dinner at NSW Parliament House, commemorating 100 years of Chinese students studying in Australia. We were honoured to welcome an exceptional lineup of distinguished speakers, including Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate, Prof. Annemarie Jagose, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney, the Hon. Verity Firth AM, Vice-President (Societal Impact, Equity, and Engagement), UNSW, Luke Sheehy, CEO, Universities Australia, Leigh Howard, CEO, Asialink, Sara Cheng, Chair, ACAA, Grace Li, Co-Chair, ACAA. David Goodman, Director, China Study Centre and Member of the ACAA Advisory Board, Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor an Chief Economist at UTS. We were also delighted to welcome senior leaders and academics from Australian universities, industry bodies, political and business leaders including Gary Cowan, CEO, National Foundation of Australia China Relations, Jason Yat-sen Li, MP, George Wang, CEO of AIMS Financial Group, the Hon. Cameron Kerr AO, CEO, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and alumni from academia, industry, and business including alumni award winners Eric Gao of Boman Group Steven Bai of Sencity Corporation, elite alumni representative Amy Mo of Austlink Education Group and more. The event also received strong media coverage from Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC),2CR, Chinese Herald Daily Australia and many other leading Australian and Chinese media outlets. Thanks to 2CR for contributing the pictures for the event. This gathering was a powerful testament to the vibrant Australia-China student and alumni ecosystem. The key message of ACAA—calling for the ecosystem's collaboration to foster an inclusive and empowering environment where international students, young alumni, and skilled migrants can thrive and better contribute to Australia’s global competitiveness—was strongly echoed by our esteemed speakers and guests. To further this mission, ACAA is proud to announce: 🌟 The 17th Australia China Alumni Awards – Nominations are now open! Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/gPQKAyrT 🌟 ACAA Student Scholarships – Supporting current students 🌟 Masterclass & One-on-One Mentorship Program – Empowering young and mid-career alumni 🌟 Exclusive Industry Networking Events – Connecting senior alumni across industries A highlight of the evening was a remarkable solo performance by Sun Yi, Associate Concertmaster of Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the winner of the 2024 Australia China Alumni Award for Arts & Creative Industries. A heartfelt thank you to all our esteemed speakers, guests, and supporters for making this such a memorable and meaningful occasion. We look forward to continuing our mission and seeing you at the next ACAA event! #AustraliaChinaAlumni #ACAA #InternationalStudents #MulticulturalCommunity #GlobalTalent

🚨 Last Call! Nominations Close Tonight at 10PM (AEST) Know someone incredible in the Australia-China community? Tag them. Nominate them. Celebrate them. 🏆 Tonight, we close nominations for the 17th Australia China Alumni Awards — recognising trailblazers, change-makers, and future leaders across 8 powerful categories. 🎓 This year’s highlight? The brand-new ACAA All-Rounder Student Award – celebrating students who shine both in class and in real life. 💡 8 Award Categories: ✨ Woman in Leadership 🚀 Alumni Enterprise of the Year 📈 Business Achievements 🎨 Arts and Creativity 🔬 Research and Innovation 🌟 Enterprise Award for Contribution to International Education  🤝 Community Service 🆕 All-Rounder Student Award (New in 2025) 📩 Nominations close tonight at 10PM AEST! Tag someone who should be in the spotlight — or nominate yourself. It’s not too late. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gPQKAyrT UNSW University of Technology Sydney The Australian National University Macquarie University University of Melbourne The University of Queensland The University of Western Australia University of Adelaide Monash University RMIT University University of Newcastle University of Wollongong Deakin University Curtin University National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR) 澳中基金会 Foundation for Australian Studies in China (FASIC)Study Queensland Study NSW #AlumniAward #ScholarshipOpportunity #AustraliaChinaAlumni #LeadershipAndImpact #CelebrateExcellence #AustralianEducation #ArtsAndCreativity #InnovationAndImpact #BusinessAchievements

🎓 New in 2025 | ACAA All-Rounder Student Award 🌟 Are you a student who’s not only excelling in class but also thriving in real-life experiences and giving back to your community? The ACAA All-Rounder Student Award is our newly launched award to recognise outstanding Chinese or Chinese-Australian students currently studying at an Australian university. 🏆 $5,000 scholarship for the winner 🏅 $1,000 scholarships for each finalist We're celebrating students who are: ✅ Leaders on campus and in the community ✅ Actively bridging cultures and gaining real-world work experience ✅ Achieving strong academic results with passion and purpose ✨ Whether you’re a student ready to apply or know someone who fits this description — don’t miss this opportunity to shine! 📩 Applications and nominations are open now! ⏰ Deadline: 15 April 2025 👉 Learn more & apply here: https://lnkd.in/gPQKAyrT UNSW University of Technology Sydney The Australian National University Macquarie University University of Melbourne The University of Queensland The University of Western Australia University of Adelaide Monash University RMIT University University of Newcastle University of Wollongong Deakin University Curtin University National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR) 澳中基金会 Foundation for Australian Studies in China (FASIC)Universities Australia Study Queensland Study NSW #StudentAward #ScholarshipOpportunity #AustraliaChinaAlumni #InternationalStudents #StudyInAustralia #AustralianEducation

🎓 New in 2025 | ACAA All-Rounder Student Award 🌟 Are you a student who’s not only excelling in class but also thriving in real-life experiences and giving back to your community? The ACAA All-Rounder Student Award is our newly launched award to recognise outstanding Chinese or Chinese-Australian students currently studying at an Australian university. 🏆 $5,000 scholarship for the winner 🏅 $1,000 scholarships for each finalist We're celebrating students who are: ✅ Leaders on campus and in the community ✅ Actively bridging cultures and gaining real-world work experience ✅ Achieving strong academic results with passion and purpose ✨ Whether you’re a student ready to apply or know someone who fits this description — don’t miss this opportunity to shine! 📩 Applications and nominations are open now! ⏰ Deadline: 15 April 2025 👉 Learn more & apply here: https://lnkd.in/gPQKAyrT UNSW University of Technology Sydney The Australian National University Macquarie University University of Melbourne The University of Queensland The University of Western Australia University of Adelaide Monash University RMIT University University of Newcastle University of Wollongong Deakin University Curtin University National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR) 澳中基金会 Foundation for Australian Studies in China (FASIC)Universities Australia Study Queensland Study NSW #StudentAward #ScholarshipOpportunity #AustraliaChinaAlumni #InternationalStudents #StudyInAustralia #AustralianEducation

17th Australia-China Alumni Awards--Alumni Enterprise of the Year Award🌟 This award recognizes alumni-led businesses or projects that have made exceptional achievements, introduced innovative practices, and exerted significant influence within the Australia–China business landscape. ✅  Achieving commercial success or introducing innovative business models in Australia–China practices. ✅ Creating cross-border industry impact through technological, service, or management innovations. ✅ Demonstrating sustainable growth while actively promoting Australia–China relations and social welfare. Eligibility Nominees must be alumni of Australian institutions and meet the following criteria: ✅ Hold a recognized qualification from an Australian educational institution (diploma, certificate, bachelor's, master's, PhD, or equivalent). ✅ Have significant work or life experience in both Australia and China. ✅ Be a citizen of Australia or China. ✅ Uphold high ethical and professional standards in personal and professional conduct. Meet the 2024 Award Recipient: Wing Cheung Joseph Chan Wing Cheung Joseph Chan • Founded AsiaPay in 2000, offering multi-channel digital payment solutions across 17 Asia-Pacific markets. • Built an ecosystem of 5,000+ clients including top-tier banks, leading e-commerce, and multinational corporations. • Developed patented AI risk management and blockchain cross-border settlement technologies, earning multiple industry awards. Driving Strategic Transformation • Collaborated early with 100+ APAC financial institutions to launch the region’s first payment aggregation platform. • Pioneered a “localized + omnichannel” service model to integrate digital wallets and BNPL solutions while empowering banks to digitize their payment systems. Leading Future Trends 1. Mobile Payments: Accelerating a cardless society via smart devices. 2. AI Integration: Setting new standards in risk management and personalization. 3. Seamless Tech: Enhancing efficiency with biometrics and NFC. 4. Blockchain Trust: Expanding applications from cross-border payments to cryptocurrencies. 5. Digital Wallets: Establishing aggregation platforms as business essentials. 6. Sustainable Payments: Embedding carbon footprint tracking into transactions. Nominations are open until April 15, 2025. We invite alumni-led enterprises and projects that have delivered breakthrough innovations, achieved remarkable commercial success, and strengthened Australia–China business ties to come forward. Whether you are nominating your own venture or celebrating the achievements of a peer, share your success story and help us recognize the entrepreneurial spirit that is driving change across diverse industries and communities. How to Nominate: Click here for nomination details: https://lnkd.in/gPQKAyrT #AlumniExcellence #SocialWelfare #SustainableGrowth #AusChinaBusiness #AlumniExcellence #InnovationLeadership #CrossBorderImpact

17th Australia-China Alumni Awards--Woman in Leadership Award🌟 The Woman in Leadership Award recognizes outstanding women who exhibit exceptional leadership and inspire others. Nominees should meet the following criteria: ✅  Have made groundbreaking achievements in business, government, non-profit, academia, or other sectors. ✅  Have demonstrated significant industry or societal impact through their professional endeavors. ✅  Embody an entrepreneurial spirit and sustainable leadership. Eligibility Nominees must be alumni of Australian institutions and meet the following criteria: ✅ Hold a recognized qualification from an Australian educational institution (diploma, certificate, bachelor's, master's, PhD, or equivalent). ✅ Have significant work or life experience in both Australia and China. ✅ Be a citizen of Australia or China. ✅ Uphold high ethical and professional standards in personal and professional conduct. Meet the 2024 Award Recipient: Sophie Chen Sophie Chen is a Senior Counsel at Zhong Lun Law Firm, based in Beijing. With over 27 years of legal experience spanning China and Australia, she is a leading expert in Chinese foreign direct investment, mining, and infrastructure projects. Sophie is admitted to practice law in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Australia. Before joining Zhong Lun in 2024, she worked as a partner at Gilbert + Tobin and MinterEllison in Sydney, where she gained extensive experience in both common law and civil law systems, helping major Chinese businesses expand internationally. Sophie’s practice areas are diverse, including mining, energy resources, financing, infrastructure, real estate, and telecommunications. She has a robust track record advising on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, and dispute resolution. Her notable achievements include advising Yancoal Australia on its Hong Kong IPO, CNGR's acquisition of a lithium project in Argentina, and China Nonferrous Mining Corporation's proposed acquisition in Zambia. Sophie is also an arbitrator with the Beijing Arbitration Commission and the Hannan International Arbitration Center, further underscoring her expertise in international legal matters. The 17th Australia-China Alumni Awards are seeking trailblazers like Sophie Chen—women who bridge Australia and China with intelligence, break barriers with resilience, and create milestones across industries. Whether you are a pioneer shaping your industry or an innovator driving transformative change, your story deserves to be heard. Nominations are open until April 15, 2025 Self-nominations and nominations of outstanding female alumni are highly encouraged. Join us in celebrating diverse and inclusive leadership and showcasing the power of women who define the future. How to Nominate: Click here for nomination details: https://lnkd.in/gPQKAyrT #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipExcellence #WomenWhoLead #Inspiration #Trailblazer

17th Australia China Alumni Award Nominations Are On Fire! 🔥 We’re excited to announce that nominations for the 17th Australia China Alumni Award are underway! This is your chance to spotlight exceptional leaders and innovators across our community. Whether you’re nominating yourself or someone you admire, don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate achievements in various fields. The deadline for nominations is April 15—don’t miss out! ⏰ Award Categories Include: 👩💼 Women in Leadership Award – Honoring outstanding female leaders across sectors. 💼 Business Achievements Award – Recognizing transformative career milestones and breakthroughs. 🎨 Arts and Creativity Award – Celebrating creativity and innovation in the arts. 🤝 Community Service Award – Highlighting those who make a positive impact on communities. 📚 Enterprise Award for Contribution to International Education – For enterprises advancing Australia-China educational collaboration. 🚀 Alumni Enterprise of the Year Award – Rewarding extraordinary alumni-led business successes. 🔬 Research and Innovation Award – Acknowledging breakthrough contributions to research and innovation. 🎓 ACAA All-Rounder Student Award – Celebrating well-rounded student excellence. For full details on the award categories, visit our Award Categories page：https://lnkd.in/gxJZMxZw. Submit your nomination by April 15 using our Nomination Link：https://lnkd.in/gPQKAyrT. Let’s honor the trailblazers shaping our future! 🚀 #AustraliaChinaAlumniAward #NominateNow #ACAA #AustraliaChinaAlumniAssociation #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #BusinessAchievements #InternationalEducation #ChinaAustralia #Innovation #StudentExcellence

The Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA) is thrilled to share that our March 5th celebration made a resounding success 🎉, marking a pivotal moment in our journey. This milestone event brought together distinguished leaders, influential academics, and industry innovators from both Australia and China, all united by our commitment to strengthening educational, cultural, and business ties. Our celebration garnered extraordinary media coverage, with over 30 major media outlets across Australia and China reporting on the event. In particular, Chinese media reached an estimated 650 million readers, underscoring the vast reach and significance of our shared vision 🌐. This remarkable exposure demonstrates the shared international interest in fostering stronger Australia–China connections. Looking ahead, we are energised by the momentum generated from this historic event. Guided by our vision, we remain committed to expanding international cooperation, enhancing alumni engagement, and spearheading groundbreaking projects that benefit both nations. Please join us as we continue to build a future filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and mutual success. Discover more at: www.austchinaalumni.org. #ACAA #AustraliaChina #InternationalCollaboration #MediaImpact #FutureGrowth #GlobalPartnerships

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong delivered a keynote at a gala commemorating 100 years of Chinese student contributions in Australia. Her speech highlighted the evolving student experience and emphasized the strength of multiculturalism and the importance of constructive dialogue in Australia–China relations.

We are thrilled to unveil the rebranding of the Australia China Alumni Association (ACAA)! As the leading network connecting over 800,000 Australian-educated alumni across Australia, China, and beyond, our refreshed brand represents our continued evolution while staying true to our core mission—empowering alumni, strengthening connections, and showcasing the excellence of Australian education. ✨ What’s New? ✅ A refreshed visual identity reflecting ACAA’s evolving role ✅ A stronger focus on community building, career development, and knowledge exchange ✅ Enhanced programs and collaborations to better serve our 40,000+ alumni members and partners Our new logo reflects the dynamic and diverse alumni community, symbolizing innovation, collaboration, and growth. While our look has changed, our dedication remains the same—we will continue to celebrate alumni success, bridge cross-border opportunities, and drive meaningful impact. 🌍 Join us on this exciting journey! Explore our new brand and stay connected via our website: www.austchinaalumni.org Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade National Foundation for Australia-China Relations (NFACR) 澳中基金会 Universities Australia Sara Cheng Grace Li Gary Cowan George Wang David Goodman Aodong Mei Angela Chen Maria Vu Samuel Yang #ACAA #AustraliaChinaAlumni #Rebranding #NewLook #StrongerTogether #GlobalAlumni