F A S I C

Leesa Chen

Area of Interest: International Trade

The support and encouragement of BHP and the Foundation for Australia Studies in China have given me the courage to leap into a new environment in pursuit of studies towards my passion in Australia-China bilateral trade. The opportunity to study in Chongqing in particular and the exposure to the One Belt One Road initiative is a rare opportunity to develop expertise in international business strategy, cross-border collaboration and further my understanding of the role of Chinese culture from an international business context.

Studies from an international perspective whilst maintaining a regional focus and local insights are also unique perspectives which I hope to apply and share after my studies. I look forward to contributing my learnings towards the future for closer Australia-China opportunities across Australian agriculture, the Australian dairy industry and regional and rural communities.

Lewis Daniels-Gardiner

Area of interest: International Trade and Economics

I intend to use the scholarship to pursue a range of academic and professional interests pertaining to the Australia-China relationship.

As Australia's most important trading partner, understanding China's economy and the nature of bilateral trade will be central to our mutual prosperity moving forward. Furthermore, China's position as the most strategically significant Asian nation makes cross-cultural and political understanding between both our nations paramount to securing a stable region in which trade can thrive. It is my aim that by studying at Peking University I can develop the skills and economic acumen necessary to ensure a positive relationship between our countries.

Given the central role of the Chinese language in business and cross-cultural understanding, I intend to use my scholarship to pursue further language study with the aim of acquiring a translation certificate. Additionally, the receipt of this scholarship will assist with a range of other essential expenses related to internships, exchange and research.

Annabelle Jarrett

Area of interest: Governance

I am delighted to have been awarded a 2018 BHP Australia China scholarship to undertake a Master of International Affairs at Peking University. As part of this degree, I will be taking a range of courses, focusing on topics around the Australia-China relationship, Chinese strategic policy and security, and sustainable development. I will also be continuing to study Mandarin language to guide my understanding of the Chinese context. I will be supported not only to live and study in China, but also to pursue my interest into contemporary Chinese domestic politics, and, the role of women in developing China's national policy agenda. Alongside my studies, I am intending to undertake an internship with a strategic advisory group and to be involved with a range of women's and Australia-focused networks and social groups. I feel that these experiences will enhance my academic experience and provide greater context to my understanding of China and its place in the world.

Phoebe Snep

Area of interest: International Politics

My intended course of study is in the field of International Politics, pairing a wider international relations analysis with a focus on diplomacy and government in China. Within my studies, I have always centred issues of gender, race and sustainability, which I plan to maintain as a lens of analysis in my upcoming studies.

As a growing power on the world stage, China is central to global trade and relations. As such, it is in diplomacy and trade deals both with and by China, that change can be affected to achieve humanitarian aims. Knowing this, I applied for, and was admitted to, a double degree Masters of Government and Politics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Master of International Relations at Monash University. This pairing of domestic and international studies in Australia and in China provides a unique spread of knowledge across both Eastern and Western political theory and trade. Receiving this scholarship has given me the opportunity to take up this degree. With the funding from FASIC and BHP, I am able to focus on my studies and the writing of my thesis, which I would otherwise not have been able to do. I look forward to learning from and contributing to the growing field of feminist international political economy and international relations, and am grateful to have had the chance to focus on my passions in the centre of global trade, politics and growing industries.

WU Haiyan

Area of interest: Australian Studies - Education

I am extremely grateful to FASIC for providing me with this rare and unique opportunity to pursue my academic and professional interest in policies and practices of teacher education in Australia and China and to continue forging strong ties between the two countries.

Policies and practices of preservice teacher education are of high importance in the development of quality teachers. The proposed study will examine the policies and practices of preservice teacher education in Australia and China and accentuate the effective approaches and best practice of initial teacher education programs implemented by both countries to promote student teachers’ professional competence. Both countries experience problems and challenges in developing sound policies and implementing them. By adopting a qualitative approach to scrutinize the implementation of current policy from the perspectives of teacher educators at Deakin and Inner Mongolia Normal University, this study will focus on the teacher educators’ perceptions of the policies and practices of preservice teacher education in Australia and China. The ultimate findings will not only make contributions to the current studies of pre-service teacher education in Australia and China, but also provide theoretical implications and practical suggestions for both countries.

Warmest congratulations to Emeritus Professor David Walker AM, FASIC Director and the inaugural BHP Billiton Chair of Australia Studies at Peking University, for being awarded a Member of the Order of Australia “for significant services to education in the field of Australian Studies and to international relations”. Click here to read the media notes on David’s service. 

11 DECEMBER 2017

Celebrating 45 years of Australia-China relations – click to view the English website and Chinese website of 45 Years, 45 Stories - a 45th Anniversary of Australia-China Diplomatic Relations campaign celebrating the multifaceted community cultural links that are the fabric of the Australia-China relationship. Hashtags #AusChina45 #45years45stories. 45 Years, 45 Stories is an initiative of the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Jianjun LIArea of Interest: Australian LiteratureMy initial contact with Australian literature was in 1990 when I was a student at Nankai University. I came across the Anthology of Australian Literature edited by Professor Huang Yuanshen and was greatly impressed by Henry Lawson's "The Drover's Wife" and "His Mother's Mate". My studies were supervised by Professor Hu Wenzhong at Beijing Foreign Studies University in the early 2000s and shaped my career development in Australian studies. As a very fortunate recipient of the BHP David Walker Australian Studies Scholarship, I will study under Professor Anthony Uhlmann and Professor Nicholas Jose at Western Sydney University. My research topic surveys the publication of Australian literature in People's Republic of China in the 1950s-1960s and explores the social, cultural and political factors that affected the translation, publication and reception of Australian literature in China during that period. I am passionate about the cultural and educational links and exchanges between China and Australia. This Scholarship will provide me with a rare opportunity to research the cultural encounters between China and Australia, which occurred much earlier than commonly assumed.

Lucy MCFARLANEArea of Interest: Language and International LawI am proud to be a 2017 BHP Australia China Scholarship recipient.  The scholarship supported my study at the Inter University Program for Chinese Language Studies (IUP) on the Tsinghua University campus. I had the benefit of one-on-one teaching for a two month Summer Course, which further improved my Mandarin skills. This was an invaluable learning environment, providing detailed and individualized feedback.  Following my study, I interned in Beijing at Vermilion Partners, who provide cross-border and domestic investment banking services in China, the US, Europe and other Asian markets. The language skills developed through IUP enabled me to work comfortably in a Chinese office environment and to make meaningful friendships. I am an ongoing Research Assistant for Professor Don Rothwell of the ANU, for whom I conduct research in International Law of the Sea.

Andriana-Mei PANAGIOTOUArea of Interest: Public PolicyThrough the BHP Australia China Scholarship, I have been able to undertake a Masters Degree in Public Policy within Peking University’s School of Government. The scholarship has encouraged me to thrive and pursue my interest of enhancing the Australia China relationship. Being situated in the dynamic and vibrant heart of Beijing, along with being part of a strong community of students from all parts of the world, I have been given a truly unique opportunity to interact and gain knowledge from far beyond the classroom. Through my studies at Peking University I will be able to gain knowledge of the intricacies of policy making in China and also write a thesis of my own choosing. I believe that this scholarship will be a transformational one and I am truly grateful to FASIC and BHP for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Kate SMITHArea of Interest: Urban Water ManagementI am extremely grateful for the BHP Australia China Scholarship, which will support my PhD in Environmental Engineering at Tsinghua University, China. My PhD research focuses on urban water management and my specific focus is: understanding and reducing energy use for water supply and wastewater in urban China. In the past, major concerns in the water sector have been demand and quality; in other words, do we have enough water to meet the demand of a city and can we provide water of good enough quality so people will not get sick? But now, there is growing concern for the amount of energy used and greenhouse gases emitted by the water sector. For example, when we turn wastewater into fresh water, or make water quality standards stricter, or pump water to greater heights within buildings, how much more energy is needed and how can we reduce this? These are some of the questions I look at in my research.

Chuan TRANArea of Interest: Business and AdministrationAsan Australian with Chinese ancestry and roots, I have always been intrigued by the diverse language systems, deep history and culture in which China presents. I am very thankful of this scholarship offered by FASIC and BHP, as it provides scholarship recipients a fantastic opportunity to pursue meaningful further study and support in their professional endeavours in China. I hope to combine my practical business experience along with research to advance Australia’s export business, trade, and relations for existing and upcoming Australian businesses to better understand regulatory barriers, market access factors, and trade solutions affecting their ambitions in conducting business with our Chinese counterparts. 

Matthew WARRArea of Interest:Business Administration and Corporate GovernanceI am extremely grateful to receive a BHP Billiton Australia-China Scholarship, which will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to continue forging strong ties with China, and to further pursue my academic and professional interest in the Australia-China relationship. The scholarship will afford me the opportunity to further my research in areas that are not only of interest to me personally, but are of critical importance for the next generation of Australian and Chinese business leaders to achieve effective mutual collaboration and positive business outcomes. These areas include cross-cultural communication and management in a Chinese-Australian business context; Chinese corporate culture and how it compares with corporate culture in an Australian and Western organisational context; and corporate governance structures and ownership in large Chinese firms and the implications of this for Chinese corporate investment in Australia.