International students success

Two international students from La Trobe University have won three major awards at the Victorian International Education/Study Melbourne Annual Awards hosted by the Victorian State Government on the evening of 30 October.

La Trobe Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, said the two successful students live and breathe the University’s values.

“We are extremely proud of these students and congratulate them on their deserved win,” Professor Krause said.

“Both students have demonstrated huge dedication to making a positive contribution within their local communities, reflecting La Trobe’s international outlook and ethos of making a difference.”

Presenting the awards, Victorian Minister for Trade and Investment, The Hon. Philip Dalidakis congratulated all the award winners.

“Congratulations to this year’s recipients on their accomplishments. They are a great example of the talent and diversity within our local and international student ranks,” Minister Dalidakis said.

“These awards acknowledge and focus on the invaluable contribution our international students make to our state, educational institutions and local communities.”

Ms. Su Htet Zaw from Myanmar, who is studying a Masters of Educational Leadership and Management at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus won the International Higher Education Student of the Year.

Su Htet won $10,000 bursary towards her Masters tuition fees. She has contributed considerable time to volunteering in her local community and, as a Connect Leader (a La Trobe student leadership program), she won the Outstanding Connect Volunteer Award 2017 for the highest number of volunteering hours during Orientation Program for new students.

Su Htet is also a School Partnerships Program Facilitator, delivering a range of activities designed to introduce high school aged students to the concept and context of higher education. Among her other volunteering roles she is President of the La Trobe University Red Cross Club and Conference Program Coordinator at the Council of International Students Australia (CISA).

Ms. Chi Thai Uyen Le (“Chi”) from Vietnam, who is studying a PHD in Environmental Management at La Trobe’s Albury-Wodonga campus won two of the awards; International Regional Student of the Year and the Premier’s Award – International Student of the Year.

Chi won $20,000 towards her PhD. Among her extensive commitments to supporting the international student community in Albury-Wodonga, she is joint founder of La Trobe’ Albury-Wodonga International Connect Club.

In addition to their financial prize money, both students are trained and supported as International Education Ambassadors for the State of Victoria.

Media Contact: Claire Bowers – c.bowers@latrobe.edu.au - 9479 2315 / 0437279903

Photo: Joanna Shaw (Manager LTI Student Services), Su Htet Zaw (Winner International Higher Education Student of the Year), The Hon Philip Dalidakis MP (Minister for Trade and Development/ Small Business/Innovation and the Digital Economy), Chi Le (Winner International Regional Student of the Year and Winner Premier’s Award International Student of the Year), Martha Kamara (School of Education and Su Htet’s supervisor)