QUT graduate, Dr Chao Zhao has been credited with taking “made in China” design to “created in China” and is the winner of this year’s Qantas Alumni Award for Research and Innovation at the Australia China Alumni Association awards held in Beijing in November. He spoke to Sophie Loras.

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Dr Chao Zhao
Deputy Head, Industrial Design Department, Tsinghua University
Winner: Qantas Alumni Award for Research and Innovation
University: Queensland University of Technology

"The Australian study experience has deeply opened my professional insight. Currently, I am the expert in the design for aging populations and design for cultural areas at Tsinghua University. I will continue to focus on this area in my future research because not only Australia, but also China is going to face aging problems in the future.
Design for aging populations means design for the future of ourselves. It is a big social issue for the future development of the world.
The Australian study experience played an important role in my professional area. It gave me a lot of nice memories, knowledge, expertise and cultural experience. My supervisor [at QUT], Professor Vesna Popovic, is one of world’s most renowned experts in this area. In addition, the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training and the Queensland University of Technology generously funded my full scholarship, without which, my research and current achievements would have been impossible."

Judges comments:

"Dr Zhao is making the brand 'Created in China' a reality," said Stevenson-Perks of the panel’s decision to award him the Qantas Alumni Award for Research and Innovation. “He’s made that change from made in China to created in China and it’s just stunning.”

"Dr Chao Zhao’s inventiveness in designing such a broad range of products is quite bewildering – each of them enough for a lifetime's achievement for most of us,” said fellow judge, Rowan Callick. ■

To read more on the 2009 CPA Australia China Alumni Awards click here.