F A S I C

Andrew SASSE

Area of Interest: Economics

As a BHP Billiton Australia China Scholarship awardee, I have been given a unique opportunity in an incredible frontier that I'm very grateful to have a chance to participate. China is building its reputation as an attractive destination for students from around the world. This scholarship shall provide valuable support and encouragement to many students like me. Prospective students in Australia are looking to expand their horizons via an enriched global postgraduate opportunity, which this program provides. I will deepen my knowledge of Economics and am excited to follow my interests in this field in China. My hopes and expectations are that my study will help me to positively influence Australia's interests with China.

Daniel TRAVERS

Area of Interest: International Economics and Trade

As a very fortunate recipient of a BHP Billiton Australia China Scholarship, I have the opportunity to study International Economics and Trade in Chinese as a visiting student at Renmin University in Beijing. The scholarships provide students and young professionals with an interest in the Australia-China relationship with a fantastic opportunity to undertake study, research and gain experience in China in a range of areas. I am very grateful to both BHP Billiton and the Foundation for Australian Studies in China (FASIC) for this opportunity, and would strongly encourage other students and young professionals who have an interest in the Australia-China relationship to apply for a BHP Billiton Australia China Scholarship in the future.

Update: Daniel completed his study at Renmin University in February 2017 and returned to Australia where he is now working as a geologist. He finds his experiences in China gave him a unique insight into the Chinese economy and Chinese culture, and also the relationship between China and the Australian mining industry. Click here to read Daniel's short report on his study experiences in China.

Paris BALL

Area of Interest: Transnational Law

I will be enrolling in Peking University's School of Transnational Law Master's Program. This program will greatly aid me in receiving a world-class legal education in Chinese and transnational law that I can apply to my research on international investment regulation. Gaining a sophisticated understanding of Chinese law will aid me in researching Chinese approaches to investment regulations and its implications for the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. I believe that there needs to be more research on the overlapping obligations that arise from Australia's commitments to the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. As part of my Master's Program, I will be writing a research paper on the implications Australia's obligations under these agreements have for Australia's relationship with China in international investment. This scholarship will provide me with a once in a lifetime opportunity to further my academic and professional career in understanding the Australia-China relationship in international investment.

Yan ZHANG

Area of Interest: Australian Literature

As an English teacher at a University in China, I took Australian Literature as my field of research during my postgraduate study in Shanghai. My supervisor was Professor Yuanshen Huang, the most eminent Australian studies scholar in China. Since I completed my study and acquired my MA degree, I have always desired to further my study. I applied for a BHP Billiton Australia China Scholarship delivered by FASIC; and meanwhile, applied for a PhD place in Edith Cowan University in Australia. With the support of the scholarship, I will able to begin my PhD research of Australian Literature in ECU with Dr. Ffion Murphy and Professor Glen Philips. I am grateful that I have been chosen as one of the scholarship awardees. I treasure this great opportunity and will make my best effort to further my understanding of Australian Literature and to share my knowledge to younger generations.

Update: Yan is now in her first year of PhD at the Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia. She is enjoying having almost the whole corpus of Australian literary works readily available and the excitement and challenges that exploring Australian literature brings to her. With her PhD colleagues come from different places of the world including some local scholar from Australia, she is making friends with multicultural background. Yan is a keen participant in diverse activities and academic workshops at ECU. Yan has found ECU staff very friendly and helpful of her work and everyday life. She is adapting well as an international student in Australia.