The ANU Australian Studies Institute (AuSI) is proud to have hosted the Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program from Wednesday 20 — Friday 22 November 2024. In its second year, the prestigious three-day intensive study tour brought to the capital 33 selected Chinese students from across 18 Australian universities, giving them unique access to the great institutions of state including Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, the National Museum, the National Gallery, the National Arboretum, and the National Press Club. 

Called the Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program in honour of Australia's first ambassador to Beijing (then known as Peking) this initiative was funded through a grant from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations. 

"It's quite an honour, but more than that, it's a mark of the huge benefits that can flow from dialogue, from mutual understanding and respect, and importantly, from the acceptance of key differences between political systems. While frictions have arisen from time-to-time as is expected, the story of Australia-China relations is one of colossal economic and human benefits on both sides. Anything which deepens understanding and strengthens the people-to-people aspect, creates ballast in that bilateral relationship which guards against overreaction to problems which inevitably come to strain bilateral relations periodically." 

- Dr Stephen FitzGerald AO, Australia's first ambassador to Beijing 

The 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program was convened by AuSI Director, Professor Mark Kenny and saw a significant number of eminent guest speakers over the three days including, Paul Girrawah House, Dr Nick Bryant, Professor Mark Howden, Dr Zena Asaad, Professor Peter Kanowski, Peter Swanton, Dr Brad Tucker, Virginia Haussegger AM, The Hon Milton Dick MP, Allan Behm, Hugh White AO, Dr David Headon and Robert French AC. 

We would like to sincerely thank all of the wonderful speakers and most importantly the scholars, who contribute to making this program such a success. We are truly appreciative of all the positive feedback that we have received from participants. 

“If you asked the 14-year-old Chinese girl who had just arrived in Australia whether she would one day be 20 meters away from the Prime Minister, listening to a parliamentary debate, meeting the former Chief Justice of the High Court, or having a conversation with a feminist pioneer—she would never have believed it. But through the Stephen Fitzgerald Scholars Program, those dreams turned into reality. Most importantly, I’ve had the chance to make meaningful connections with 30+ new friends who have inspired me along the way. This program isn’t just about studying abroad—it's about thriving in a diverse, interconnected environment. I’m hopeful for the future of China-Australia relations and motivated to become an inspiring young changemaker in science, diversity, and beyond.” 

- Yijia (Jesscia) Ji (Monash University), 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholar 

“It was a truly fantastic journey for me. After experiencing the program, I feel even more honored to have been selected as one of the 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholars. The speeches and discussions were incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking, and they touched me deeply. They've shown me how even small, consistent steps in daily life can lead to meaningful, larger-scale change over time. 
I also gained a deeper understanding of how Australia has evolved into what it is today—its journey from history to its current status and how it continuously revitalizes itself from within the system. That sense of adaptability and vitality was eye-opening and empowering. This program has given me a renewed sense of purpose and the confidence to contribute, in my own way, to fostering stronger connections between Australia and my home country, China.” 

- Yuchen Liu (University of Adelaide), 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholar 

"Beyond listening to thought-provoking talks and engaging in discussions with prominent figures from Australia and around the world to explore how we, as young scholars, can contribute to strengthening Australia-China relations, one of the most valuable aspects of this program for me was connecting with outstanding Chinese peers from across Australia. Each of them shines brilliantly in their respective fields, embodying passion, kindness, and courage, while offering unique perspectives shaped by their disciplines and personalities.
One particularly memorable coincidence was meeting the very first video creator I followed during my early teens, whose work profoundly influenced my childhood and solidified my passion for design and my chosen path. Encountering him as a peer in this program and sharing lunch with someone who had such a significant impact on my formative years made the experience truly surreal and inspiring."

- Yancheng (Eric) Zhang (Macquarie University), 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholar 

“Participating in the Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program 2024 has been a truly memorable and inspiring experience. For the first time since coming to Australia, I had the privilege of connecting with so many remarkable Chinese scholars, exchanging ideas and building lasting connections with bright minds from my home country. 
This program offered us a unique perspective on the evolving Australia-China relationship, a platform to share our insights on communication and global trends, and an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intricacies of Australia’s parliamentary decision-making process. 
The three-day journey reaffirmed a profound truth: History provides a record of the past, a guide for the present, and a framework for envisioning the future. Reflecting on this incredible journey, I feel more determined than ever to contribute to cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. 
I look forward to seeing future cohorts of Stephen FitzGerald Scholars embark on this transformative journey, united in our mission to foster deeper trust and understanding between Australia and China. Together, we can build bridges that strengthen this vital relationship and shape a better future for both nations. 
My heartfelt thanks to the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations for supporting and the Australian National University Australian Studies Institute for organizing this extraordinary initiative. Sincerely appreciate Dr. Stephen FitzGerald AO on his life-long endeavours in cultivating Australia-China dialogues and fostering bilateral development prospering.” 

- Yifei Xu (University of Adelaide), 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholar 

"The Stephen Fitzgerald Scholars Program has been a truly life-changing experience. As one of only two scholars selected from Griffith University, I feel deeply honored to have participated in this three-day program in Canberra, the capital city of Australia.
Though the program lasted only three days, its thoughtfully designed and highly efficient schedule allowed us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the work and professional insights of leaders across Australia’s political, economic, legal, cultural, and art fields. Through the lenses of these leaders, I was able to rediscover Australia, a country where I have been living and studying for nearly eight years. One highlight of the program was Virginia Haussegger AM’s inspiring talk on gender equality- Women in Politics. As an advocate for women’s rights and safety myself, I found her speech incredibly empowering. Later, I had the opportunity to engage in further discussions with Virginia during which she offered me invaluable advice and encouragement for my future career plans. Her insights strengthened my decision to pursue further studies in human rights law, domestic violence law, and family law, with the goal of supporting more women in navigating the legal system.
What I gained most from this program, however, was the incredible group of peers from diverse fields, all united by similar passions- serving as the communication bridge between Australia and China. Having studied my undergraduate in Australia, I’ve rarely experienced a strong sense of community since moving here. In high school, we had fixed classes where our classmates often served as one another’s social and emotional support on our academic journeys. At university, this sense of group support is less common. Yet, through this program, I was able to recapture that feeling. Even though it’s been nearly a month since the program finished, we’re still remaining in touch, virtually supporting each other’s goals in different ways."

- Jingyi (Tina) Wang (Griffith University), 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholar 

"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Stephen Fitzgerald Scholars Program in Canberra, where I joined 33 selected scholars as one of the youngest participants. This transformative experience allowed me to engage with insightful discussions on law, international relations, journalism, climate strategy, and technology ethics, broadening my perspective and deepening my understanding of critical global issues. I sincerely appreciate the ANU Australian Studies Institute and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations for organizing and supporting this impactful program, which fosters collaboration and mutual understanding between Australia and China."

- Jialei (Brian) Ding (Swinburne University of Technology), 2024 Stephen FitzGerald Scholar 

View Photos from the Program: Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program 2024 | Flickr 

More information on the Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program can be found here: Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program | Australian Studies Institute 

The Stephen FitzGerald Scholars Program is supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations. The ANU Australian Studies Institute is proud to be a National Foundation for Australia-China Relations grant recipient.