The outstanding students and institutions that make up Victoria’s thriving international education sector have been celebrated at a ceremony for the 2016 Victorian International Education Awards.
Sixteen winners were presented with the coveted awards during the event at Government House tonight, recognising the achievements of Victoria’s 175,000 international students and the leading education providers that support them.
Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis, now responsible for Victoria’s international education sector, opened the awards ceremony and reiterated the importance of the sector to Victoria’s overall trade revenues.
As Victoria’s largest service based export, the sector reached a record high contributing of $5.8 billion to the state’s economy in 2015 and now supports more than 30,000 jobs across the state.
Now in their fourth year, the Victorian Education Awards include two Premier’s awards and introduced two new categories this year for International Student of the Year (Regional) and International Alumnus of the Year.
The spread of student award winners for 2016 was a clear indication of the diversity that has grown in the sector, with seven different countries represented across the categories.
This year’s student winners are awarded up to $10,000 to go towards their studies at one of Victoria’s educational institutions.
Student winners also go on to become ambassadors for the Victorian Government’s Study Melbourne initiative, which promotes the state’s leading education capabilities to the world.
A number of Victoria’s higher education, English language and vocational education and training institutions were also presented with awards, with the sheer number of applicants this year showing how robust the sector has become.
The number of international students enrolled in Victoria continues to grow year on year as the Andrews Labor Government continues to invest heavily in Victoria as the Education State.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
“A thriving international education sector changes people’s lives for the better, while also generating jobs and economic growth for Victoria.”
“Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners. I look forward to seeing you continue to go from strength to strength as ambassadors for Victoria – the country’s Education State.”
Full list of 2016 Victorian International Education Award winners:
Excellence in International Education – TAFE
Holmesglen and William Angliss (Highly Commended)
Excellence in International Education – University
Deakin University
Excellence in International Education - English Language
Deakin University English Language Institute
Excellence in International Education - Private Education & Training
Health Careers International
Excellence in International Student Experience
Australian Federation of International Students
Excellence in International Student Employability and Career Development
Impact English College
Excellence in Innovation in Partnership and International Engagement
The Monash Warwick Alliance and Deakin University – Save the Children (Highly Commended)
International Student of the Year – Vocational Education & Training (VET)
Freddy Mata Mendoza Holmesglen (Venezuela)
International Student of the Year - English Language Training
Maria Gonzalez Swinburne College (Argentina)
International Student of the Year - Higher Education
Sander Bredal University of Melbourne (Norway)
Yuliana Sari (Highly Commended) Swinburne University (Indonesia)
International Student of the Year – Regional
Balaji Trichy Narayanaswamy Deakin University (India)
International Alumnus of the Year
Kashif Bouns Victoria University (Pakistan)
International Student of the Year – Research
Jessica Pandohee RMIT University (Mauritius)
Victorian Student of the Year – Internationalisation
Wesa Chau Swinburne University
International Provider of the Year
Holmesglen Institute
International Student of the Year
Jessica Pandohee RMIT University (Mauritius)
Reviewed 19 August 2020