Multi million dollar donation to fund new Australia-China Institute

Driven by a passion for building connections between nations, businessman Mr Xiangmo Huang is donating $3.5 million in total over the next three years to Western Sydney University to establish a new Australia-China Institute for Arts and Culture.

The new Institute will be an important point of access to Chinese culture, providing resources, support and expertise for those wishing to study and research one of the world's oldest and most enduring societies. It will also provide opportunities for cultural exchange between Australia and China.

The gift, the largest single donation received by the University, includes funding for a professorial chair, which will be supported by two research fellowships for four years and a postdoctoral fellowship for five years.

It will also support the development of a masters program in Chinese arts and literature, with the first students anticipated to commence in 2017. $500,000 will also be allocated for student scholarships, with this figure matched by the University.

Positioned with Western Sydney University, the Institute will consolidate and build on a wide range of existing teaching and research programs across the University, in Chinese literature, translation, interpretation, music composition and history. It will utilise the expertise already within the University's own Institute for Culture and Society, School of Education, and School of Humanities and Communication Arts.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover acknowledges and welcomes Mr Huang's extremely generous support to help drive future scholarly exchanges between Australia and China.

"In an ever more connected world where business, research and education cross borders, art and literature continue to be powerful, unifying forces," says Professor Glover.

"This new Institute will help bring together our two nation's cultures, and help build deeper and more meaningful connections with China – a place where ideas are fostered and exchanged."

Professor Glover expects the Institute to also harness the expertise of influential people like Western Sydney University alumnus Melissa Chiu – Director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington – one of the world's leading authorities on modern and contemporary Asian art.

Mr Huang is the founder and chairman of The Yuhu Group (Australia) Pty Ltd. His company has investments across multiple sectors including agriculture, energy, logistics and real estate.

Ends
15 December 2015
Media Contact: Amanda Whibley, Manager, Media and Public Relations