The outstanding and invaluable contribution to communities made by the State’s international students was recognised last night at the 2015 NSW International Student Awards at the Sydney Opera House, organised by StudyNSW within the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres officiated at the awards ceremony and congratulated the winners of four International Student of the Year awards:

–       Dunya Alruhami (Iraq) won the Higher Education category

–       Zaki Haidari (Afghanistan) took out Vocational Education and Training (VET)

–       Ting Ting Chen (China) won in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

–       Mingjun Zhang (Pakistan) took out Schools

Mr Ayres also congratulated the winners of two International Student Community Engagement awards – the NSW Police Force for ‘Business/Community Group’, and the University of Newcastle in conjunction with the Jesmond Park Uniting Church for the category ‘Education Provider’.

“The NSW International Student Awards enables the State to showcase the excellence of our international students and to celebrate the array of global cultures making a difference in our classrooms and communities,” Mr Ayres said.

“The benefits will continue long after tonight’s winners and finalists have returned home; their presence here has strengthened our links with the international community and have no doubt created connections that will thrive over time.”

The finalists’ initiatives included generating social opportunities for isolated immigrants, acting as interpreters, mentoring new students, fundraising for a range of charities and training new swimmers in water and surf safety.

For the full list of winners visit www.nsw.gov.au/internationalstudentawards