StudyAdelaide International Student Awards

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Can the minister share with the council news from the StudyAdelaide International Student Awards?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for his ongoing interest in a whole range of things but especially the StudyAdelaide International Student Awards. Last Friday, I was fortunate enough and very proud to attend the 2018 StudyAdelaide International Student Awards at Government House. It was a big event. There were about 500 international students, a big marquee; there was a real buzz in the air. These international students have a fantastic time while they are in Adelaide, and they really do enjoy their time here. There were masses of students there to support their colleagues as they were given these awards. It is a great opportunity to recognise our outstanding international students and showcase some of the contributions these students are making to society.

The major prize, for the 2018 StudyAdelaide International Student of the Year, was awarded to Mr Himal Kandel, a PhD candidate at Flinders University. Before coming to Adelaide, Himal lived in a remote Nepalese village from which it took two days to walk to the nearest hospital for his scholarship. Motivated to study ophthalmology, as a number of his friends and relatives in his village had problems that could easily be fixed with glasses or simple surgery, he has a dream to open up an eye hospital in his village in Nepal. He managed to win a number of scholarships and chose South Australia for his studies. Himal's wife Sanya and his daughter Sahinya were there, and he said:

[It's a] great place to start a family. I'm very proud to live in one of the world's most liveable cities. It's also a perfect place to start a family. It's a safe and beautiful city. Adelaide is so welcoming to international students and it is our home away from home.

Of course I agree 100 per cent with Himal. Other award winners included: January Dechavez from the Philippines, who was awarded for Academic Excellence, Postgraduate (Coursework); Nicholas Loh Chieh from Singapore for Academic Excellence, Undergraduate; Isadora Inez Alves Koszma from Brazil, who won for Academic Excellence, Vocational Education and Training; and Ian Ngui Rong Yi from Malaysia, for Academic Excellence, Pathways.

Do Xinyu from China won for Academic Excellence, School—she is actually at Henley High School, Mr President, so she is not even at university yet. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thien from Vietnam won the award for Community Engagement, and Xin Er Neoh from Malaysia won for Artistic Achievement. Phan Nguyen Mai Chi from Vietnam won for Sporting Excellence—she is actually a very, very competent chess player—and Laen Sugi Rante Tandung from Indonesia won for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Flinders University Singapore Student Association won Student Event of the Year.

A number of students also received highly commended awards. It is important that we properly resource StudyAdelaide to ensure programs like these awards are well supported. That is one of the reasons we increased funding of StudyAdelaide to $2.5 million a year. As I said earlier, South Australia has a lot to offer international students, but it is also clear that international students offer a lot to South Australia. They make a valuable contribution not only to our economy and jobs, but also to our beautifully rich and diverse community.

StudyAdelaide did a fantastic job in putting together this year's International Student Awards, and I have received much praise from the attendees and others who have said likewise. I once again congratulate Mr Himal Kandel and the other award winners for their achievements. I would also like to thank His Excellency the Governor and the team at Government House for allowing the marquee to be erected and the presentations to be held. It was certainly a memorable moment for all of the students who won awards.