The University of Newcastle has starred at the recent 2011 Australia China Alumni Awards in Beijing where four of our alumni won awards and three others were finalists in the nine categories.
University of Newcastle Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Global Relations) Professor Kevin McConkey congratulated the four Newcastle alumni who won awards across the categories of business, environment, new media and women leadership. They received their accolades at the awards dinner, which was attended by the Australian Ambassador to China, Her Excellency Frances Adamson.
Climate change commentator, Associate Professor Zhou Yun, won the AusAID Scholarships Alumni Award for her work across climate change and energy, environmental impact assessment and public participation in environmental protection. Professor Zhou graduated in 2002 with a Master of Environmental Studies and is now Director of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science.
Associate Professor Wang Shuguang won the Business Events Sydney Alumni Award for Research and Innovation. Professor Wang graduated in 1998 with a PhD in Psychology, and is now Director, Research, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, Chengdu. He is known for his work in HIV/AIDS prevention and in the psycho-cultural wellbeing of the Chinese people.
Leading online marketing expert George Tuan won the Telstra Alumni Award for ICT and New Media. Mr Tuan graduated in 1998 with a Master of Business Administration, and is now CEO and Chairman of China’s largest web intelligent and communication service provider, leading online marketing company Adsit Advertising. Mr Taun has transformed digital marketing to a targeted, intelligent and refined approach, and in doing so has made his company the leading online marketing technology platform.
Innovative architect, Ms Ong-Koh Wee Nah, won the IELTS Alumni Award for Women in Leadership. Ms Ong-Koh, a Colombo Plan Scholar, graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), and is now General Manager and Project Director, of Frasers Property. Her company is the leading provider of business and living space solutions in bustling Chengdu, China and she is celebrated for her innovation in infrastructure development, having undertaken major international projects across the globe.
Professor McConkey said the awards were a great achievement, not only for the individual winners and finalists, but also for the University of Newcastle.
“The outcome overall reinforces our strong relationship with China, the amazing things our graduates are doing in diverse fields, and it gives confidence to our current and future students that a degree from our University plus personal commitment can take you anywhere."
