Vice-Chancellor's Achievement Awards 2018

The Awards, to be conferred during an Alumni Celebration at the China World Hotel in Beijing, recognise the exceptional achievements and leadership of the University’s graduates in greater China.

“These Awards confirm the significant achievements and success stories among our large Chinese alumni community,” said University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Michael Spence AC.

“Our Award winners demonstrate the character and values to which we are committed—engagement, diversity, innovation, and leadership that advances knowledge and improves society.”

2018 winners

Submissions for the Awards were reviewed and selected by a panel comprising University staff and Alumni Council members. This year's winners include Professor Yongsheng Zhu, Olivia Jingshu Ji and Simon Loong. 

Professor Yongsheng Zhu (MA, Hons ’85)

Professor Yongsheng Zhu has had an outstanding career in academia.

In 1983, he was selected by the Education Ministry of China to come to Australia to study linguistics at the University of Sydney.

After graduating, Professor Zhu returned to China and achieved a stellar career over the next 30 years in teaching, research and leadership.

Professor Zhu is recognised internationally as one of China’s top functional linguists and has received many awards recognising his research and publication record. He is highly regarded as a teacher and supervisor, and three of his past students are leaders in linguistics in China.

In addition, Professor Zhu has played a major leadership role in Chinese tertiary education, as Chairman of the Foreign Languages and Literature Department at Suzhou University and at Fudan University. In his role as the Dean of Fudan’s School of International and Cultural Exchange, he contributed to the establishment and development of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sydney. 

Olivia Jingshu Ji (MCom ’03)

Olivia Ji is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of EventBank, CEBEX Group, China Entrepreneurs and the He Feng Foundation.

One of China’s top female business leaders, she has incubated more than 20 technology companies and served as a senior business leader in multinational enterprises. In 2017 she was awarded the ‘Top 10 Female Entrepreneur’ award by the Alibaba Group at the prestigious Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship.

Olivia is also passionate about social responsibility and charity work. She is founding director of Beijing Hefeng Art Charity Foundation and sits on the board of Women in Leadership, a major association for female entrepreneurs and investors. After studying at the University of Sydney’s Business School, she established the Olivia Jingshu Ji Prize, offered annually to the Business School’s top international student.

Simon Loong (BCom ’98)

Simon Loong is Founder and Chief Executive of WeLab, one of Asia’s leading financial technology companies. WeLab offers financial lending products online and has been named by KPMG as one of the top 100 fintech companies in the world. In 2017 Deloitte ranked the company as the fastest growing tech-company by revenue in Hong Kong.

Before founding WeLab, Simon spent 15 years in the retail banking divisions of Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank. Today, he serves as an advisor to many professional organisations, including Shenzhen Consumer Council, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

Simon has received several awards in recognition of his achievements, including 2016 ‘CEO of the Year’ by Capital CEO, 2017 ‘Innovation Leadership Achievement in Hong Kong’ by The Asian Banker, and in 2018 ‘The InnoStars Award’ by Our Hong Kong Foundation.

In addition to his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney, he holds a Master of Science in Management from Stanford University and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Sabi University.

Want to receive University of Sydney news straight to your inbox? Subscribe today.