ANU alumni bringing distinct flavour to EU’s political heart

An ANU arts alumnus is using her house in Brussels to showcase 20th century furniture, artworks and design objects.
Dr Kathryn Smith (BA fine arts, 1988) is the director of Ampersand House, a gallery she operates in the Belgian capital with her fellow ANU alumnus and husband, Ike Udechuku.
Kathryn described the gallery to a visiting senior delegation from the ANU who were in the political centre to further strengthen ties with European alumni and promote the university’s European research strategy.
The delegation was led by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor Margaret Harding, Professor Jacqueline Lo, Director ANU Centre for European Studies and Associate Dean (International) in CASS, and Dr Douglas Robertson, Director of Research Services.
“We were delighted to meet ANU alumni in Brussels and to hear their stories and achievements since graduation," Professor Lo said.
"They're working in a variety of fields from advocacy to education and diplomacy, and are wonderful examples of the depth of relation between ANU and Europe."
The guest of honour at the dinner was CASS alumnus Dr Mark Higgie (BA 1981, PhD 1987 Political Science) who is Australia’s Ambassador to the EU, NATO, Belgium and Luxembourg.
They also met leaders at the European Commission and European Research Council – including a former EU fellow at the ANU CES and European Commission official, Mr Simon Smith – highlighting the centre’s growing ties with governance and academic institutions.
Other alumni included Trina Murray-Amimer (BA International Relations 2008), a policy advisor to the Australian Mission to the European Union and also present was Don Kenyon, adjunct ANU CES Fellow and a former Australian ambassador to GATT (now the WTO) and the EU.
This recent trip follows similar meetings between CASS officials and alumni in Singapore and Malaysia in May, strengthening the College’s international alumni profile and research network.