William Ah Ket Leadership Program

Empowering the next generation of Chinese-Australian leaders: Applications open

With nearly 1.4 million Australian residents identified as having Chinese ancestry and heritage, Chinese-Australians have and continue to make a significant contribution to the history and prosperity of Australia.

But in today's rapidly shifting political and economic landscape, especially when it comes to Australia's relationship with China, Chinese-Australians are facing unique barriers and obstacles to political and social participation and positions of influence and leadership. As such, it is more crucial than ever for emerging Chinese-Australian leaders to have their voices heard and amplified, and their leadership journeys nurtured and supported.

To address this, the ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership (CAAL), with support from the Australian Government's National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, will be delivering the inaugural William Ah Ket Leadership Program in 2023.

Named after the first Australian barrister of Chinese and Asian heritage the late William Ah Ket, the program aims to educate, upskill and equip talented emerging Chinese-Australian leaders with the skills, knowledge and expertise to become more effective leaders in their field, and if relevant, play an active role in advancing Australia's engagement and bilateral relationship with China.

Over four days, the program will bring together many distinguished and dynamic leaders ranging from academics to politicians, business leaders, commentators and leadership experts. In addition, participants will also gain access to a vital network of executive peers, professionals, and senior leaders from across multiple industries and sectors.

What's in the program?

The program will include a comprehensive academic and practical approach to focus on effective training and upskilling for emerging Chinese-Australian leaders on the following topics and more:

• Risks and opportunities of Australia-China relations
• Power, influence and communication as Chinese-Australian leaders
• Succeeding in the Australia-China landscape
• Personal profile building and finding your authentic voice

The program and its modules will be delivered in a personalised, socialised and contextualised way led by combination of academic staff and practitioners on topics and issues unique and tailored to Chinese-Australians. Participants will also take part in reflection and diverse modes of learning such as peer discussions and mentoring match making sessions.

Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to produce and present a 3,000-word paper on relevant issues and topics that relate to the program.  Select papers will be considered for publication in a volume produced by the ANU.

Who should apply?

The program is open and eligible to applicants between the ages of 30 to 45 who self-identify as Chinese-Australian and/or an Australian of Chinese heritage. Participants will be selected from an application and selection process with successful participants to be determined by a selection panel.

The application process

To apply, participants will need to provide a curriculum vitae and a covering letter (between 800 to 1,000 words) addressing the following questions:

1. Why do you want to participate in this leadership program? Why now at this point in time in your professional career? 
2. What do you see are the qualities and attributes Chinese-Australians can bring to leadership, not just in working across the Australia-China bilateral relationship but across Australia more widely?
3. What do you see are the challenges and opportunities facing the Australia-China relationship?
4. Should you be successful in being selected to participate in the program, how do you plan to build the learnings into your professional career and leadership journey?

The application deadline is Sunday 25 June 2023 at 5pm AEST. Applications can be sent to caal@anu.edu.au

Program Directors

Program Coordinator

Jieh-Yung Lo
Director
ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership

Academic Co-Convenors

Dr Benjamin Herscovitch
Research Fellow
School of Regulation and Global Governance & National Security College
ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

Dr Chao Ma
Lecturer in Leadership
ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership
Research School of Management, ANU College of Business and Economics

Supported by