Aussie state honors contribution of int'l students

SYDNEY - Overseas students studying in Australia have been honored for their hard work and contribution to the community at the Victorian International Education Awards (VIEA), officials said on Tuesday.

Over 227,000 international students from about 170 countries and regions are currently studying in the State of Victoria, providing not just an economic, but also cultural and innovation boost.

The VIEA awards honored that contribution by recognizing outstanding students across a range of fields, with winners receiving 10,000 Australian dollars ($6,773) to help with their studies.

"International students connect Victorian students to different cultures and ideas, and help us to build the important relationships that link Victoria with the world," Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney said.

Among the winners was Zhang Luocheng from China, who studies occupational therapy at Victoria's Deakin University.

During his first year at Deakin, Zhang established a WeChat based platform to help Chinese occupational therapy students learn more about the practice in Australia, with over 9,000 students connected so far.

Other winners came from Malaysia, Colombia, Philippines, India and Singapore.

"This year's award winners have made a tremendous contribution to the community beyond their own study and research efforts, and it's great that they are getting the recognition that they deserve," Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula said.

The city of Melbourne, capital of Australian state of Victoria, was recently named as the best student city in the country, with 10 universities, 12 TAFEs (state run vocational education and training provider) and more than 250 private education colleges.