$500,000 Gift to Strengthen China-Australia Relations

$500,000 Gift to Strengthen China-Australia Relations

February 2012

On Monday 13 February 2012, senior executives of UWS and guests gathered at the West Wing of the Female Orphan School on the Parramatta Campus, to acknowledge a significant milestone in philanthropy for the University.

The event was to honour Mr William Chiu and his generous donation of $500,000 to promote Chinese language and culture among UWS students. In attendance at the function were representatives from the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney; Professor Xiaojia Wang, Head of Education and Mr Demin Zheng, Consul for Education, Mr Jim Harrowell AM, Chairman of the Australia China Business Council for NSW as well as influential members of the Chinese community in NSW.

Mr William Chiu was introduced to UWS by close friend, the Honourable Helen Sham Ho OAM, a former member of the NSW Parliament and friend and supporter of UWS.

Mr Chiu is a very active member of the Chinese community in NSW and has worked tirelessly for many years to promote friendly relations between Australia and China. In 2010 he was awarded the Quong Tart Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Service as part of the NSW Premier’s Chinese Community Service Awards. This award honours an individual who has provided outstanding volunteer service over an extended period of time.

At the event the Vice-Chancellor spoke of the opportunity Mr Chiu’s support has afforded the University in developing closer links between Australia and China and in encouraging UWS students to pursue studies in Chinese language and culture.

Mr Chiu’s generosity will enable UWS to strengthen China-Australia relations through learning, teaching and research initiatives. More broadly, this gift allows UWS to build an increased understanding and appreciation for China, its language and culture, across the Greater Western Sydney region.

To find out more about how you can support UWS, our students and research, please visit www.uws.edu.au/giving

Notes

* In the picture L-R Back Row: Professor Peter Hutchings, Professor Gary Smith, Dr Geoffrey Lee MP, Dr Yi-Chen Lan, Professor Wayne McKenna. L-R Front Row: Ms Katie Young, Emeritus Professor Tong Wu, The Honourable Helen Sham-Ho OAM, Professor Xiaojia Wang, Mr Demin Zheng, Mr Jim Harrowell AM. L-R Seated: Professor Janice Reid AM and Mr William Chiu