INSPIRING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HONOURED
Social inclusion, sustainability and support for mental health initiatives spanning 17 nationalities topped the list at this year’s NSW International Student Awards.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the 2022 NSW International Student Awards recognise and celebrate the individuals and organisations who have gone above and beyond for their communities.
“NSW attracts more international students than any other Australian state or territory, with over 160,000 choosing to study here and invest in a world-class education, great lifestyle and a wealth of future career prospects,” Mr Henskens said.
“We are extremely proud of our diverse international student community and the contribution these individuals and organisations make to building a vibrant and multicultural State.
“These awards are an important way of recognising exceptional achievements and to say thank you to those who are making meaningful contributions to our society and becoming ambassadors for NSW.”
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure congratulated all winners for the valuable contributions they make to our communities while residing in NSW.
“These awards are a testament of just how successful we are as a multicultural society,” Mr Coure said.
“Students arrive in NSW feeling welcome and empowered to share their cultural perspective and unique experiences.”
Western Sydney University medical student Jennifer Budimulia was announced as winner in the Higher Education category for her work building a community-based mental health organisation called ‘Seribu Tujuan’. The organisation supports members of the Indonesian community dealing with mental health issues.
Ms Budimulia said she chose to study in NSW because she wanted to learn about the healthcare system and find ways to give back to her community.
“As a strong advocate for accessibility to quality mental healthcare, being recognised motivates me to continue my endeavours,” Ms Budimulia said.
Winners were announced tonight in person for the first time since 2020, at a celebration held at Sydney’s Luna Park, with a live steam allowing the offshore community to tune in from around the globe.
The event crowned four individuals and two organisations across six categories:
- Schools – Khanh Chi (Kathy) Nguyen, a Vietnamese student from Dulwich High School of Visual Arts & Design;
- English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Student (ELICOS) – Marcela Soares Gigliotti De Carvalho, a Brazilian student from ILSC Sydney;
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) – Chun Hean (Nicholas) Thong, a Malaysian student from Wells International College;
- Higher Education – Jennifer Budimulia, an Indonesian student from Western Sydney University;
- Business and Community – Sydney Community Forum and Sydney Alliance for their Oz International Student Hub (OISH); and
- Education Providers – UNSW Sydney for their Peers Advocating for Sexual Health (PASH) program.
To learn more about the winners, visit NSW International Student Awards Study NSW.
