July 29, 2015

University of Wollongong wins 2015 Hong Kong-Australia Business Award

The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) place as a leading international higher education provider has been further strengthened after winning the prestigious 2015 Hong Kong – Australia Business Association (NSW Chapter) Awards, which recognise NSW companies striving for excellence in international trade with Hong Kong.

UOW was recognised for its contribution to the region through international education when it was named a winner at a Gala Dinner at Sydney’s Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney last night, attended by the Hong Kong Government’s Secretary for Financial Service and the Treasury, Professor KC Chan.

In receiving the award, UOW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) Professor Joe Chicharo said it reflects more than two decades of strategic engagement with Hong Kong and greater China and confirms UOW’s position as an old and trusted partner who is well regarded for contributing significantly to higher education capacity building in this major economy.

Professor Chicharo said: “UOW is thrilled to receive this award as recognition of its transnational education engagement.”

It comes just months after UOW received a Business Excellence Award for Education and Training in the 2015 AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards for its long-term collaboration with leading Chinese universities, research organisations and industry.

It also comes just weeks after UOW became the first ever overseas-based comprehensive university to enter Hong Kong when it was selected by City University of Hong Kong—following an exhaustive international search—to take custodianship of the Community College of City University Hong Kong (CCCU) and develop it into an internationally accredited degree-offering institution.

Professor Chicharo said: “The acquisition of CCCU enriches UOW’s international network of campuses, facilitates more global collaborative opportunities, furthers UOW’s efforts to establish a substantial presence in North-East Asia and reinforces our position as a global higher education provider.

“With our proven success developing programs around the world – as recognised by these awards - UOW will now develop CCCU into Hong Kong’s first private non-profit university.”

The Hong Kong-Australia Business Association Limited (HKABA) was established in 1987 to promote a positive image for Hong Kong and reinforce economic ties between Hong Kong, China and Australia.

The annual NSW chapter business awards, which have become a prestigious event in the NSW business community since their inception in 2000, are independently judged by a panel comprised of senior representatives of the NSW and Hong Kong governments, Austrade and platinum sponsors under the chairmanship of Australia and New Zealand Hong Kong Trade Development Council Director, Ms Bonnie Shek.