Lumen Autumn 2017 - Flipbook - Page 19
story by Kelly Brown
A life-changing study move
Cynthia discovers a love of research
Ken Wang was 16 when he arrived
in Australia in the 1960s to attend
school in Darwin while his father was
stationed in nearby East Timor. After
school Ken furthered his education
at the University of Adelaide.
It was a period when Communist
China was not recognised by the
Australian Government and the White
Australia policy made coming here difficult for Asian students.
So Ken was very much in a minority.
“Most of the Asian students when I studied were Colombo
Plan scholars, relatives of Asian Australian citizens and students
sponsored by churches and other institutions,” says Ken.
“The strong Australian currency and full application
of university fees were also limiting factors for studying
in Australia.”
Ken has enjoyed an interesting and varied career since
graduating with a Bachelor of Sciences and Bachelor of
Engineering (Honours) and initially worked as an audio and
television development engineer at Philips in Adelaide.
In the 1970s he was a foundation member of Don Dunstan’s
Unit for Industrial Democracy; in the 1980s he moved into
the finance sector and designed computer administration
and trading systems; and in the 1990s he was appointed
Chief Investment Officer with the Public Trustee, a position
he remained in until retirement in 2011.
Today, Ken lives with his wife Patricia in South Australia.
He has two children, Mimi and Mac, and both are graduates
of the University.
From a young age it was Cynthia
Gao’s dream to become a teacher.
But it was during her Master of
Education at the University of Adelaide
10 years ago that she found she also
enjoyed research. So she went on to
do a Master of Educational Research
and then a PhD.
This led to Cynthia winning a
position as a postdoctoral researcher at Taiwan Central
University and Taiwan Normal University where she became
interested in educational psychology and cognitive psychology
within the context of learning with technology.
Today Cynthia is a senior researcher at Beijing Normal
University’s Smart Learning Institute (SLI).
“SLI is devoted to exploring innovations and developments in
effective use of information and communication technology and
constructing a learning environment where lifelong learning and
the diversified, personalised, and differentiated learning style of
digital generations can be supported,” says Cynthia.
“I am currently the principal investigator on a project
that looks at the use of virtual reality and other on-trend
technologies as strategies for teaching and learning.
“I love doing research. In the future, I hope that I can continue
to combine my enjoyment of research and education in valuable
projects like the work I’m doing at SLI.”
A golden opportunity for Michael
When Michael Hua was offered
a place to study at the University of
Adelaide he leapt at the opportunity.
“It was the 1990s and only the
best students in China could study
overseas, so when the opportunity
presented itself, I didn’t hesitate,” says
Michael.
Michael was 17 when he arrived and
completed his Bachelor of Commerce in 1999, before gaining
some experience in accounting and tax consulting, and then
specialising in mergers and acquisitions.
He moved to China to focus on corporate growth strategy
consulting and is now based in Shanghai, working on mergers
and acquisitions for a multinational healthcare company.
“I’d say that I’ve been very fortunate to move into the
healthcare sector,” says Michael. “I have done multi-billion dollar
deals that have given hundreds of thousands of people better
access to the most advanced healthcare technologies.”
Michael has been actively involved in the University as Chair
of the Commerce Alumni Network.
Learning the world of business
Eve Li came to study at the
University of Adelaide from China after
completing a semester exchange
program during her Bachelor degree in
international trade and commerce.
“After studying entry level courses
in economics, finance, trade and
accounting, I thought the best way
to understand a corporate business
would be by analysing financial statements, and the Masters of
Accounting and Finance would allow me do that,” says Eve.
Since graduating in July last year, Eve overcame tough
competition to win a place in the graduate program of global
energy giant Enzen. The six-month program is in the United
Kingdom where Eve will work on a local water project in Leeds
and a power project in London.
“I’m looking forward to working on a range of
transformational projects and learning how I can help different
organisations become more energy efficient and meet the
challenges presented by new advances in technology.”
The Chinese Alumni network is just one of several new
networks planned to provide our graduates with more
learning and networking opportunities.
For more information about networks see the back inside
page of Lumen, or contact alumni@adelaide.edu.au
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 17
