A former Australian diplomat has been appointed Director of the Confucius Institute at UNSW.

Cathryn Hlavka, who is fluent in Mandarin, has a 23-year association with China and has expertise in government, business and the education and science sectors.

Ms Hlavka is well known in the Australian international education sector through her role as the Australian Government's representative on education, science and training in Tokyo and Shanghai (2001-2007).

Most recently she has been based in Beijing and Shanghai as a government relations and education policy consultant, working with the China Australia Governance Program.

UNSW partnered with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in establishing the Confucius Institute, to facilitate student and academic exchanges and expand opportunities for multi-disciplinary research and Chinese studies, including advanced Chinese language training.

Based in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Confucius Institute will promote Chinese language and culture, though the focus will be on strengthening research collaborations including in engineering, science, the social sciences, and the creative arts.

"Cathryn Hlavka brings a wealth of diplomatic experience in establishing relationships internationally for Australian higher education," said the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Professor James Donald.

"This is exactly what the Confucius Institute at UNSW needs. As Director, Cathryn will be working to identify opportunities for all parts of the university to collaborate with Chinese partners. It is a very exciting appointment."

Photo credit: Grant Turner, Mediakoo

CONTACT DETAILS: Susi Hamilton, UNSW media unit, 9385 1583 or 0422 934 024