Alumni event to draw hundreds from overseas

Adelaidean - August 2002, Page 11

HUNDREDS of international graduates of Australian universities are preparing to converge in Melbourne next month for one of the biggest events on the alumni calendar: the Australian Universities International Alumni Convention. The convention, held every two years, offers an opportunity for Australian university alumni from across the globe to network, share experiences, and form new corporate and government connections. It also gives them the chance to renew their connections and links with Australia.

This year's convention is the third, following the inaugural convention in Adelaide in 1998 and Kuching, Malaysia in 2000, both of which were highly successful events. The theme for 2002 is "Networking in the Knowledge Economy", with corporate, social and education issues on the agenda.

Keynote speakers include Government ministers from Australia and Asia, CEOs of major companies and prominent businesspeople, high profile representatives from government and non-government organisations, as well as leading academics, scientists and educators from around the globe -many of whom are alumni from Australian Universities.

The speakers include Asgari Stephens, CEO of Intelligent Capital Malaysia; Huy Truong, CEO of Wishlist; Dr Tikki Pang, Researcher for the World Health Organisation, and Dr Peter Doherty, Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine. According to the latest figures by the agency IDP Education Australia, there are more than 150,000 international students at Australian universities this year.

Australian Universities International Alumni Convention Melbourne, Australia September 5-7 www.auiac2002.com Adelaide at the Convention The University of Adelaide's new Vice­Chancellor, Professor James McWha, will be chairing a session on Friday, September 6, called "Communities in the Asia Pacific". Many graduates and staff of the University will be attending the convention to renew their links and build on existing ties.

In conjunction with the Australian Universities International Alumni Convention, the University of Adelaide Alumni Association will be hosting a networking event in Melbourne on Thursday, September 5 at the Melbourne Museum from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. This event will provide an opportunity for the University's alumni, both internationally and locally, to build new friendships, meet past acquaintances and keep abreast with current events at the University.

All University of Adelaide alumni who will be in Melbourne on that day, especially our Melbourne Alumni, are invited to attend this event. The Alumni & Community Relations Office is currently compiling a list of alumni residing in Melbourne who wish to participate in an ongoing Melbourne Network. This resulted from alumni expressing interest in maintaining contact with each other in Melbourne and the surrounding region.

If you would like to play a part in this initiative, please register your interest with Ms Joan Soon by phone (08) 8303 3317 or Email: joan.soon@adelaide.edu.au

Homecoming

Immediately following the convention will be the inaugural Homecoming program in Adelaide. All international alumni are invited to revisit the city and campus they called home during their study here, and meet with other alumni and University staff during a series-of events held over two days (Sunday, September 8 and Monday, September 9).

The program includes a reception at the Adelaide Town Hall, a breakfast on campus hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and a discussion on world firsts and innovation at the University of Adelaide.