Global Impact

Whether underground in Bulgaria, in remote Northern Cambodia, or on the plains of the Gobi desert, you'll find an Adelaide alumnus in almost every corner of the world. Lana Guineay profiles three outstanding alumni who cross the lines of culture, country and comfort in the quest to make a meaningful contribution to the world around them.

Notes from the Bulgarian Underground

Craig Barker

Bachelor of Science, 1994
Postgraduate Diploma in Geology, UWA 1998

The rush hour commute has taken on new meaning for Adelaide alumnus Craig Barker. The Science graduate, now based in Pirdop - a rural village 80 kilometres from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia - contends with horses and carts and roaming goats on his daily route to work.

It's a far cry from city life in Australia, but for Craig, the opportunity to live and work in the farming community where the traditional, slow pace of life continues much as it has for centuries, has been "life changing".

Bulgaria is the latest on a list of destinations - including Africa, Laos and China - for Craig and his wife, fellow graduate Abbey. In the last six years, Craig's work as a Geology Manager for Canadian company Dundee Precious Metals has seen him transfer his expertise to geological and mining staff across the world, giving them the power to run their mining operations themselves.

But the Science graduate has discovered that the learning goes both ways. "My wife and I have learned different languages and culture, travelled and met the most amazing people. We are so thankful that we were born and raised in Australia," says Craig.

"Working as an expat is an unbelievable experience," he says. "All expat roles in my line of work are challenging and I love a challenge. When you start a new job you have the ability to make the place better for the people. I get great satisfaction out of teaching people and then seeing them transform in order for them to prosper."

Currently based at the Chelopech Copper and Gold Mine, where he supervises more than 60 staff, Craig says living and working in Bulgaria - with Europe at their doorstep, and the Black Sea and ski fields within driving distance - has been "the opportunity of a lifetime".

"The people, culture, countryside and lifestyle are amazing," says Craig. "The Bulgarian people are very hospitable and friendly. The culture is based on family and social values: so it's not unusual to see someone who is on holiday at work, not to work but to see their friends."

Craig says his time overseas has been invaluable, both personally and professionally. The biggest rewards? "The experience and adventure. Helping people and causes. Learning the language and culture -- and making friends."

Transforming lives in Cambodia

Lois Whittall

Master of Business Administration, 1994
Adjunct Lecturer, Business School
Currently completing a PhD in Social Entrepreneurship at University of Adelaide

Cambodia is a country in transformation. Most of the nation's 14 million people were born after 1979 -- the year the Khmer Rouge lost power -- and represent a generation intent on rebuilding their lives and their homeland after years of genocide and turbulence.

It's estimated 1.7 million Cambodians lost their lives under the Khmer Rouge, with many more fleeing as refugees. The legacy of these years is still being felt, with approximately 35% of the population living below the poverty line.

In the newfound political stability, stories of determination and resilience abound -- as Lois Whittall discovered when she visited the country with her husband in 2005.

"On our first visit we met Vireak, who was to become our Cambodian `son'. He told us how when he was three his father disappeared, how his mother was forced to marry a Khmer Rouge soldier, how he was put into a child labour camp for six years. He still has nightmares about that time although he doesn't talk about them much.

"He told us about his determination to get an education. When he left the camp, he walked 300 kilometres to Phnom Penh so he could live under his aunt's house and go to school. He couldn't afford English lessons so he learned by standing outside the window of an English school. He graduated from high school, got a scholarship to go to Vietnam to learn accounting, and eventually found himself working for a large NGO."

It was Vireak's story - and those like him - that inspired Lois to make a difference. With the help of people from Australia and Cambodia, Lois established a Student Centre in Preah Vihea, a remote northern province that is heavily land-mined, and the average income is less than US$1 a day.

"We bought land, renovated an old house and built a dormitory. Our Cambodian supporters named it Plas Prai which means `transformation'. We provide resources so that 32 students, all girls, can finish their high school education.

"They come from villages where there is no senior high school. We provide a safe place for them to stay with a house-parent, some money to live on, a bike, school books and uniforms and extra tuition in the subjects they are weak in."

For Lois, the biggest rewards are tangible: "Thirty-two smiling, confident girls. Well, most of the time - they are pretty normal adolescents!"

The project is currently looking for laptops in working order to take to Cambodia. If you can help please contact Lois on 0417 871 218.

Watershed honour in China,

Dr Victor Squires

Former Dean, Natural Resources Program, Roseworthy Agricultural College
Founding Director, National Key Centre for Teaching and Research in Dryland Use Systems

From the 24-hour energy of its overflowing cities to the loneliness of its deserts, China is a land of astonishing diversity. For one intrepid Australian ecologist, its unique environment has been the subject of more than 25 years' work - work which has recently seen him awarded the Republic's top scientific honour.

Dr Victor Squires first visited the People's Republic of China in 1985 as an exchange scholar, and found that his expertise in dryland agriculture - a technique for cultivating land which receives little rainfall -- was a perfect fit for a country battling the expansion of its deserts.

The encroachment of arid regions, particularly the Gobi Desert, coupled with drought, extreme climatic conditions and poor agricultural practices have led to destructive dust storms, floods, animal losses, financial hardship and a decline in food availability in northern China.

Over the last two decades, Dr Squires has been combating these issues together with Chinese researchers; a mission that has seen him work in 12 provinces across the plains of China, doing field work, conducting research programs, organising international symposia, hosting seminars and serving as an adjunct professor. His work has led to the establishment of official programs, greatly advancing China's dryland research and technological development.

Dr Squires is well versed in managing some of the driest lands on earth. A former University of Adelaide staff member, Dr Squires was instrumental in founding the Program of Natural Resources at the University's Roseworthy Campus and also the National Key Centre for Teaching and Research in Dryland Use Systems.

In January, Dr Squires was awarded China's highest honour for scientific innovation, the Science and Technology Cooperation Friendship Award. Presented by Chinese President Hu Jintao, the Friendship Award is given to foreign experts for their significant contribution to China's economic and scientific development.

Dr Squires is the first Australian to receive the award, and one of just 50 recipients chosen from more than 300,000 foreign experts working in China to receive the honour.

In an age of resource depletion and climate change, Dr Squires' work to strengthen the ties between Australia and China and to stabilise damaged ecosystems has the potential for far-reaching benefits for future generations.

With so many alumni working in diverse fields around the world, we want to know who you'd like to see profiled for Global Impact. Tell us by emailing lana.guineay@adelaide.edu.au