This morning BSSC alumni, Mai Wang, brought his wife, Shuo An, to show her around his old college. Mai even wore the t-shirt made for the team who were part of 2003 Rock Eisteddfod!

Mai and Shuo were born in Beijing and Mai came to Australia as an international student to study VCE during 2003 and 2004.

In Year 11 Mai took ¾ Economics. In Year 12 he achieved exceptional results in Physics, Chemistry, Spec Maths, and Maths Methods, while also continuing his Mandarin studies, and improving his English skills through the college’s English as a Second Language program.

Taken on a tour of the college by Juncai, Mai was fascinated to see how much had changed and how much had stayed the same.

“I love the new commercial kitchen area and the Ulumbarra Theatre. They were all part of the prison that was still functioning back then.

“I had Roy Preece for Physics in Year 12. He had the best sense of humour and was the smartest teacher I’ve ever had. Jill Clapham was my Chemistry teacher and was such a patient and supportive person.”

After he graduated, Mai considered studying at Cambridge Uni. He met his future wife, Shuo, as he considered his options—the couple quickly realising their families lived virtually across the road from each other in Beijing.

Shou continued her engineering studies in the UK while Mai returned to Melbourne Uni to complete a double degree in Environmental Engineering and Commerce.

The couple are now based in Beijing, focused on applying their engineering qualifications to the development of renewable energy projects.

“We are in Australia both for a holiday and to explore opportunities to expand our business,” Mai explained. “We’re especially looking at the important role renewables will have for data centres.”

(Data centres presently used astronomical amounts of both electricity and water, so ways renewables can be applied is likely to be fundamental to their ongoing sustainability.)

Terrific to catch up with Mai and be reminded of the interesting lives and wonderful achievements so many BSSC graduates experience.