이민파트 Chinese expert seeks cereal solutions in Australia＜-호주로의 성공적인 이민사례3

[JEAN(현진)]

Qian Xu describes Australia as 'an enchanting place'. This feeling, combined with the international reputation of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), clinched her decision to move to Australia.

Qian is a highly qualified agricultural research scientist currently working for the CSIRO in Canberra. She applied for and won the job, then entered an expression‎ of interest for a work visa in SkillSelect - Australia's online system for managing skilled migration.

'I found the SkillSelect process much quicker than I expected, actually,' Qian said.

'I submitted my application for a visa in December 2012 and was granted it in January 2013, so I was very pleased. Now I have a contract with CSIRO for three years.'

Along with her husband and daughter, she arrived in Australia after being granted a subclass 189 visa, based on her score of 60 points in SkillSelect.

Qian has a list of achievements that made her an obvious choice for the position of agricultural scientist with such a prestigious organisation, including a Doctoral Degree in Science, Business and Technology in China at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

She studied for her PhD from September 2002 to July 2008. Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor Degree in Science, Business and Technology at Shandong Agricultural University from September 1998 to July 2002.

Her work at CSIRO could have a profound effect on cereal crops world-wide. Qian describes her job as examining molecular mechanisms controlling dorminancy in cereal grain, which intends to resolve the serious problem of pre-harvest sprouting.

Coming from a large family in the north of China and after completing her Master's Degree in Biology, Qian left to study in Shanghai. She married her husband, Hong Jun Gao, in Shanghai, but they decided the huge city was 'burying' them and they sought a better life.

Qian applied for postdoctoral positions all over the world and received offers from Australia and the United States. Luckily, she chose Australia.

'After we arrived, we felt that Canberra was a more charming place than we imagined, with fresh air, friendly people, safe food, a big house and 'mature systems' everywhere,' she said.

Her two year old daughter, who attends childcare, is quickly adapting to Australian life and is learning to speak some English. Qian's husband is doing some community work.

By all accounts, the CSIRO team and the Canberra community have welcomed Qian and her family. It's hoped that one day, her special expertise and work here will lead to a breakthrough in Australian and global agriculture.