The Victorian International Education Awards are an initiative of the Victorian Government to support the international education sector, promote best practice in the sector and raise awareness of its benefits to the broader community.
These prestigious awards recognise and celebrate leaders in Victoria’s international education sector and the outstanding achievements of international students.
We are excited the introduce the 18 finalists for the Victorian International Education Awards for 2018.
International Student of the Year – English Language Training | International Student of the Year – VET | International Student of the Year – Higher Education | International Student of the Year – Research | International Student of the Year – Regional | International Alumnus of the Year | Victorian Student of the Year – Internationalisation | Provider categories and finalists
International Student of the Year – English Language Training
Jose Gil Alonso
"I have had some troubles in my life and this type of achievement is very important to me. It provides me with so much motivation in the work I do."
Colombia, Greenwich College
Kezhan Zhang
"I didn’t expect an award because I know there are lots of amazing, brilliant international students trying to apply for it, but I got in and I was thinking 'I’m really lucky'."
China, The University of Melbourne
Monica Rodriguez
"Australia and the state of Victoria have a lot of opportunities for everyone in the world, so you need to make the decision to come here and start this beautiful adventure."
Colombia, Swinburne University of Technology
International Student of the Year – VET
Daniel De Jesus
"The main reason I’m so passionate about civil engineering is that I come from a country with a lack of infrastructure. My education here means I can go back and give to my country to make it better."
Timor Leste, RMIT University
Ka Ho (Dereck) Lee
“I really want to encourage other international students to volunteer in the community because through volunteering we can communicate and learn from what other people think.”
Hong Kong, China Holmesglen Institute
Natalia Palacio Vasquez
“When I found out that I was one of the finalists, I felt very grateful because it’s been a long process for me to get involved in the community, not only studying, but also doing volunteer work.”
Colombia, Melbourne Polytechnic
International Student of the Year – Higher Education
Nguyen Thanh (Daniel) Dat
"What you receive during your learning journey is not about the technical knowledge or the professional development, it’s about the care and the being trusted by your local community."
Vietnam, Deakin University
Oanh Thi Kim (Olena) Nguyen
“I’m so proud of myself and I can tell my parents that they can be proud of me for this achievement."
Vietnam, Victoria University
Shirley Chai Ring Boon
"I’ve learnt a lot of skills while I have been here in terms of managing collective impacts projects, because that’s what I’m really passionate about."
Malaysia, CQ University
International Student of the Year – Research
Herfina Nababan
“Melbourne is a very progressive city, a progressive place, and the people have interesting ideas, perspectives, and ways of living.”
Indonesia, The University of Melbourne
Julie Gaburro
“Being a finalist in this award really makes you realise what you have achieved and it feels very good.”
France, Deakin University
Wilson Castillo
“The one thing I was looking for when coming overseas to study my post-graduate training was academic excellence. Melbourne was the best choice with the University of Melbourne constantly on top. And the second thing I was looking for was quality of life. If I was to be studying for four years, I really wanted to choose a city where I can have a study and life balance, so that’s why I came to Melbourne.”
Ecuador, The University of Melbourne
International Student of the Year – Regional
Huy Quoc Tran
"I just think we all need to embrace diversity. Let’s just celebrate it. Don’t take it for granted, because it’s such a great thing."
Vietnam, La Trobe University
Masoud Abdi
“I really love the idea that apart from scientific achievements, you have a life outside your study and your work. This kind of award gives me that guarantee that I have achieved what I wanted.”
Iran, Deakin University
Tejas Deshmukh
“I’ve had multiple hats on during my journey in Australia and I’ve experienced a few things that make me want to give back to the international student community. It’s really important for a new student who’s coming in to know how the journey is and I always like to share my advice on that.”
India, La Trobe University
International Alumnus of the Year
Iyiade (Hybee) Aibinuomo
“I’ve come here with little to nothing, and now I have a career. How? With the support I got from the community, with the opportunity for me to work even as a student and I am able to meet my own needs by myself.”
Nigeria, Holmesglen Institute
Ryan Macabenta
“I’m so happy. There are so many international students here and being able to represent my country, the Philippines, and at the same time represent JMC Academy is such a great honor.”
Philippines, Institution of JMC Academy
Victorian Student of the Year – Internationalisation
Mauricio Latino
“It’s encouraging to everyone to come here and study and also get involved in the community which is awesome. I find the whole experience very good.”
Argentina, Deakin University
Provider categories
Excellence in International Education - English Language Training
Acknowledges an English language provider that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of delivery of an English language program experience to international students.
- Deakin University English Language Institute
- Impact English College
Excellence in International Education - Private Education and Training
Acknowledges a Victorian Registered Training Organisation that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of the delivery of a private RTO experience to international students.
- Academia International
- Health Careers International
Excellence in International Education – TAFE
Acknowledges a Victorian TAFE provider that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of the delivery of a TAFE experience to international students.
- Holmesglen Institute
- The Gordon Institute
- William Angliss Institute
Excellence in International Education – University
Acknowledges a Victorian university that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all aspects of the delivery of a university experience to international students.
- Deakin University
- Victoria University - Victoria University’s Transformational First Year Model
Excellence in International Student Experience
Acknowledges a Victorian education provider, business or not-for-profit that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in enhancing the experience of international students beyond academic support or that provide opportunities for broader awareness of and engagement with the Victorian community.
- Discover English - Rainbow Connections Program
- Meld Community
Excellence in International Student Employability and Career Development
Acknowledges the Victorian education provider, business or not-for-profit that has demonstrated excellence or innovation in employability and careers services to international students.
- Deakin University Australia-India Business Forum
- RMIT Training
- William Angliss Institute Careers & Employment service
Excellence in Innovation in Partnership and International Engagement
Acknowledges a Victorian education provider that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in collaborative international partnerships.
- Deakin University - India Research Initiative
- RMIT University - Engagement Across India
- Monash University - Australia – Indonesia Centre