11 June 2007
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| David O'Loughlin (centre right) Thomas Shugg (centre left) won first and second place respectively at the recent Chinese Bridge competition. Supporting them are former Monash Chinese students Tim Lindenmayer, and Cindy Gottinger, who were first and second respectively at the event in 2005. They received congratulations from Lecturer, Chinese Studies Program, Dr Lijian Hong (back. |
Monash University students have again been recognised for excellence in Chinese language.
This year, Monash Chinese Studies Program students have won the top two places at the prestigious Chinese Bridge competition, a worldwide language competition for foreign students not of Chinese background.
Students David O'Loughlin and Thomas Shugg.have been awarded first and second place respectively at the Melbourne section of the competition.
Both are studying 'Chinese 9', an advanced level of Chinese language and studies at Monash University
Mr O'Loughlin enrolled in Chinese 5 and 6 in his first year at Monash. He then participated in the Monash Study Abroad program and spent six months studying and living in Shanghai before resuming his Chinese 9 and Chinese Translation units at Monash.
Mr Shugg began his studies at Monash and after spending a year in Taiwan he returned to complete his studies in Chinese Studies.
The annual competition was held in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth this year where students from across Australia vied for the right to compete in Changchun, capital city of Jilin in northeast China.
Dr Lijian Hong, Senior Lecturer from School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, said the two students were outstanding in their presentations for the competition.
"There were three components to the competition where the students had to each present a short speech followed by a question and answer segment with the panel of judges followed by a performance of their choice," Dr Hong said.
"David presented a Chinese poem, while Thomas enthused the judges with his calligraphy talents."
Dr Hong said Monash has had consistent success at the competition. In 2005, Monash students took out first, second, third and fifth places.
The Chinese Studies Program at Monash is one of the largest in Australia.
Dr Hong said the highly successful Chinese Incountry Program is so far the largest of its kind in the world and believes the competition confirms the program and calibre of students is of an international standard.
"Our program attracts students from a diverse background and while the competition is only open to students from non-Chinese backgrounds, many students undertaking the language course are from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and have selected Monash to further their language skills and study in the history and culture of their native country from a different perspective," Dr Hong said.
Chinese studies
Chinese is one of the largest language programs at Monash University. For further information, visit the Chinese Studies website. | 
