Confucius
Institute
Our Staff
Cher Jones
Director, Institution Relations (Greater China)
Ms Jones plays a leading role in the development and execution of the University of Newcastle’s Greater China Strategy, Confucius Institute operations management, and industry partnership and engagement.
Ms Jones joined the University from the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she was the Trade and Investment Commissioner and Senior Representative of New South Wales Government for South China and Hong Kong, based in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.
She has a wealth of knowledge and expertise established during a diverse 25 -year career in the Australian public sector, international business, and research and development commercialisation.
Prior to her role with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Ms Jones was the Associate Director of the Australian and New Zealand Banking Group ‘ANZ’ Guangzhou Branch with responsibilities in corporate and institutional banking for large local corporations in South China. She also worked at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Canberra contributing to the commercialisation of Australian intellectual property in biotechnology.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hong Kong, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and undertook a Master Degree of Public Policy with the Australian National University.
Stewart Yang
Deputy (Chinese) Director
As the Dean of General Foreign Languages Department of the Foreign Languages School, Associate Professor Stewart Yang has recently been appointed to this position from the 1st February 2023 to the 31st January 2025.
He holds a tenured teaching position of English at Central China Normal University, the Chinese partner university of our Confucius Institute.
He has extensive teaching and management experience in foreign language education. Apart from the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle, he has previously taught Chinese at Augustana College, USA from September 2005 to June 2006, and worked as a visiting scholar at the University of Oregon, USA from September 2014 to August 2015.
Stewart holds a BA in English Education and a MA in English Language and Literature from Central China Normal University. At present, he is a doctorate candidate majored in Curriculum and Teaching Methodology at School of Education, Central China Normal University.
Carol Huang
Administration Manager
Carol admires many dedicated students who would take the initiative to learn a second language. She takes pride in serving and supporting them studying with the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle. She is responsible for three key portfolios of finance management, risk and compliance, and marketing and administration.
Before joining the University, Carol worked at Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales in research projects on renewable energies. She also has over 10 years’ experience with international banks in both China and Australia.
Carol holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (China).
Hannah Shuai
Chinese Instructor
Hannah (Fenghang Shuai) teaches Chinese Language at the Confucius Institute, the University of Newcastle. She holds a master’s degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from Central China Normal University where she is now studying for her doctoral degree.
Equipped with the “Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Language”, she has worked as a Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute, the University of Newcastle since 2020. In 2019, she received professional training and completed the advanced study as an international Chinese teacher at East China Normal University in Shanghai for a semester. She also successfully passed the standard test and served as Chinese teacher for zero-based learners in the winter camp. These learners were teachers and students from University of Surabaya, a national university in Indonesia. She has previously taught Mandarin to the international students from UK, Slovakia, India, Turkmenistan and Chad at Central China Normal University.
Hannah has a wide range of interests, she enjoys Chinese classical dance and holds the “Trained Teacher Certificate of Chinese Dance Examination”. She is good at and passionate in traditional Chinese cooking, Chinese hard pen calligraphy, and social media promotion campaign.
Mia Shi
Chinese Instructor
Mia (Mengfan Shi) is an enthusiastic postgraduate student at Central China Normal University, majoring in “Teaching Chinese as a Second Language”.
During her internship at the International Education School of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, she served as a teaching assistant. In this role, she assisted the instructors in delivering lessons, providing valuable support to students, and contributing to the overall positive learning environment. She is committed to Chinese language teaching through her dedication to facilitating positive learning experiences.
Inspired by the principles of the Confucius Institute, she is eager to extend her passion for Chinese language education as a volunteer. She aims to bring a solid foundation in teaching Chinese through her previous experiences. She is enthusiastic about fostering cultural exchange and language learning, and embracing the spirit of mutual understanding and respect.
Her primary interests lie in the realm of traditional Chinese arts. She enjoys the intricate craft of paper-cutting to skillfully create delicate patterns by just the nimble scissors. She revels in the artistic pleasure it brings. She also enjoys embracing challenges with the belief that "Where there is a will, there is a way."
Michelle Lin
Chinese Instructor
Michelle (Xin Lin) is currently studying a master’s degree of “International Chinese Language Education” at Central China Normal University.
She finished her undergraduate study at Fujian Normal University as a second language teaching major. During this period, she participated in the Chinese language activities organized by the college and shared Chinese culture with foreign students from different countries and regions. She has a deeper understanding of the cross-culture communication, and hopes to become a volunteer in the future to enrich her experience in Chinese language teaching.
Michelle enjoys traveling and trying delicious food in her spare time. She is good at simplified Tai Chi. She believes this traditional Chinese sport can have calming effects while exercising.
Bella Liu
Chinese Instructor
Bella (Ping Liu) comes from Central China Normal University, majoring in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. She has completed her undergraduate studies in Business English at Wuhan Textile University.
During her internship at the Hubei Post and Telecommunications School, she integrated her learning experiences in English and French into foreign language teaching, allowing students not only to appreciate the beauty of the language but also to become more interested in cultural diversity. It’s her firm belief that “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world”.
China’s rich history and profound cultural heritage deeply fascinate Bella, especially the tea culture. Tea ceremony reflects the Chinese concept of harmony and hospitality. She also has wide interests in sports, like dancing, yoga and Baduanjin (The Eight Brocades).
Azalea Shao
Chinese Instructor
Azalea (Kehan Shao) is a passionate and dedicated Chinese language instructor currently studying English Education at Central China Normal University. She is also an exchange student at the University of Newcastle, where she further explores her interest in language education. Azalea has demonstrated her commitment to teaching and language promotion through various roles, including her position as a teaching assistant at Wuhan No. 11 Junior Middle School and as a volunteer instructor for the "Warm Sunshine Classroom" program, where she taught daily English to staff members.
Holding the "Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages" and with a solid foundation in both English and Chinese, Azalea has had the opportunity to teach international students and engage in educational development initiatives. She has actively contributed to organizing student development activities in her role as the Deputy Director at the Foreign Language Academy’s Learning Development Center.
Azalea is not only an excellent language learner but also a well-rounded individual with a deep interest in traditional Chinese culture. She excels in Chinese classical dance and is a skilled player of the Guzheng (a Chinese plucked zither). Her experience in both traditional Chinese arts and teaching makes her a dynamic and engaging educator. She is committed to promoting the beauty and complexity of Chinese language and culture to learners worldwide.
Lola Yang
Chinese Instructor
Lola (Fan Yang) is an enthusiastic postgraduate student at Central China Normal University, majoring in "International Chinese Language Education".
From 2017 to 2021, she studied at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, where she earned her undergraduate degree with a major in French. After graduation, she went to France, where she worked as a Chinese Teaching Assistant at two senior high schools in Nice, a beautiful tourist city in the south of France. This experience sparked her interest in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages, leading her to study for a Master’s degree in this field.
She has experience in learning two second languages (French and English) and has progressed from a beginner to a C2 level in French. So, she understands very well the challenges that individuals would face when learning a second language.
In her spare time, Lola enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.