Our Staff
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Name | Rhys Palmer |
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| Position | Director | |
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Rhys is a long-standing employee of the University of Newcastle with extensive experience in marketing and business development. Prior to his appointment as Director of the Confucius Institute, Rhys was involved in developing the University’s relationships and partnerships with China. Rhys has both professional and personal connections with China and has a good understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. Due to his love of huǒ guō (hot pot) we are convinced Rhys is part Chinese! |
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| Phone | +61 2 4921 6440 | |
| rhys.palmer@newcastle.edu.au | ||
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Name | Jonathan Yi |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Deputy Director | |
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As Deputy Director Jonathan provides academic leadership to the Institute, overseeing all our programs. Jonathan is an Associate Professor of English at Central China Normal University, our partner university in China. Previously he was a visiting scholar and also helped establish the very successful Confucius Institute at University of Kansas, USA. Jonathan's love of Mexican food sometimes makes us question his Chinese heritage! |
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| Phone | +61 2 4985 4041 | |
| jonathan.yi@newcastle.edu.au | ||
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Name | Jingfen Xiao |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Instructor | |
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Jingfen teaches Chinese language, Tai Chi and Calligraphy at the Institute. She is also from our partner university Central China Normal University and is currently studying towards a doctor’s degree in Education. Previously she was the Chinese instructor at the Chinese Department at Ankara University in Turkey. Jingfen is passionate about her health and wellness...we actually suspect she may live for 400 years! |
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| Phone | +61 2 4985 4042 | |
| xiao.jingfen@newcastle.edu.au | ||
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Name | Janet Liang |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Instructor | |
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Janet teaches Chinese language and culture courses at the Institute. She has taught Chinese in Indonesia and Australia for over 8 years. With masters’ degrees in Applied Linguistics and Educational Studies, she is exceptionally qualified and extensively experienced in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages. Janet is an avid reader, traveller and is unbeatable at Uno! |
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| Phone | +61 2 4985 4044 | |
| janet.liang@newcastle.edu.au | ||
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Name | Qiubei Fu |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Administration Officer | |
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Qiubei supports the Director in the operation and development of the Institute. She has degrees in Advertising and Conference Interpreting and is NAATI accredited as a professional Mandarin/English interpreter. Previously she was the China Bureau Chief in a financial newswire in Sydney, managing the multilingual news publishing and translation desk and was involved in cooperation with China. Qiubei is into photography, lyrical dance and is our home-grown patisserie masterchef … um yum! |
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| Phone | +61 2 4985 4360 | |
| qiubei.fu@newcastle.edu.au | ||
