The Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton recently met with alumnus Chenggang Zhou of New Oriental Education and Technology, to thank him for his generous donation of $100,000 to Macquarie’s Soft Power Advocacy and Research Centre (SPARC).

The unrestricted donation of $100,000 will go towards supporting SPARC and its research initiatives to help develop new theories and debate around models for soft power and public diplomacy and contribute to the aims of the Centre.

“It is my great pleasure and honour to make this little contribution to my school,” said Chenggang, who graduated with a Master of Arts in 1998.

“We are several times blessed by Chenggang Zhou’s research grant to SPARC,” said Professor Naren Chitty A.M, Associate Dean, International and Inaugural Director, Soft Power Advocacy and Research Centre.

The grant will contribute to new research published in the Routledge Handbook of Soft Power, currently being edited by SPARC in collaboration with Aberystwyth University and American University.

Professor Chitty says the grant is the first example of a major gift being made by an international communication alumnus, and is a signal to students in the humanities, arts and social sciences there can be golden rewards at the end of an Arts degree.

“Chenggang graduated from a now, 23 year old Master degree in International Communication and has gone on to make a spectacular success of his career working for the largest comprehensive educational company in China as an executive president since 2014,” he said.

The donation will also facilitate the development and collaboration of cooperative projects and ventures related to soft power and public diplomacy between Australia, China and India (and communities from within the Chinese and Indian diasporas) that attain knowledge exchange, education outcomes and cultural understanding.

Learn more about SPARC

Building support for Macquarie: New Donations and Fundraising Policy

The new Donations and Fundraising Policy provides staff across the University an understanding of the significant role philanthropy plays in helping to fulfil Macquarie’s strategic objectives. The policy details how donations of money, property and in kind gifts are accepted, managed and used by the University.

Macquarie has ambitious plans to increase support for key University priorities so developing philanthropic funding relationships has become increasingly important.

The Office of Advancement provides advice about priority fundraising projects, cultivating relationships with prospective donors, receipting donations and stewarding donors with activities that appropriately express Macquarie’s gratitude and recognition for their support.

Learn more about the Office of Advancement and meet the newest members of the team.