UQ first in China

UQ held its first graduate celebration in China last night with a personal celebration in Beijing.

About 100 people including graduates, their friends and family joined the celebration at the Peninsula Hotel in the heart of Beijing.

UQ Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards congratulated 35 graduates from all UQ faculties, including many Masters students.

In his keynote address, Australia’s Ambassador to China Dr Alan Thomas said Australia and China’s educational engagement was growing.

“There are currently over 30,000 Chinese students undertaking courses at Australian universities each year and an estimated 8000 students are undertaking partially or fully Australian degrees with local institutions here in China,” Dr Thomas said.

He said the number of formal education links between Australian universities and China was second only to the number of links with the United States.

He told graduates to expect frequent career changes and continued professional development during their work lives.

UQ Alumni Association of Beijing President Daisy Xu said she welcomed many new members after outlining the activities of the young alumni group, which was formed in 2004.

More than 1000 Chinese students studied at UQ this year mostly in commerce and engineering.
Chinese students are UQ’s biggest international student group.

UQ has more than 30 agreements with Chinese institutions to foster research and academic collaboration and student and staff exchanges.

The graduation celebration was the second of three UQ ceremonies in Asia this week.

UQ will also hold a graduate celebration in Shanghai tomorrow night so graduates can share their triumphs with friends and family.

MEDIA: Miguel Holland at UQ (+61 413 996 845, m.holland@uq.edu.au)