Indian student selected as finalist for international student award in Australia
New Delhi: Vidushi Bhagwanani, an Indian student pursuing studies at Macquarie University in New South Wales, Australia has been selected as a finalist for the “International student of the year 2018”, an initiative by the New South Wales Government. This is an annual award managed by Study NSW and celebrates international students’ contributions to NSW society and reinforces the benefits of international education to the broader NSW community.
The International Student of the Year Award categories are for outstanding community contributions in higher education, vocational education and training (VET), and schools.
Vidushi is a second-year student at Macquarie and has been selected as the only Indian student for this prestigious award within the higher education category.
Vidushi Bhagwanani is from New Delhi and is pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering with honours in Mechanical Engineering from Macquarie, which is ranked in the top 1% per cent of universities worldwide. Macquarie is a popular destination for studies aboard among Indian students owing to its high rankings, vast choice of courses, successful placement record and generous scholarship endowments.
Department of Industry Director Peter Mackey said the annual awards celebrate international students’ contributions to NSW society and reinforce the benefits of international education to the broader NSW community: “These finalists embody the positive impact international students have on our cultural capital, our global networks, and our communities,” Mr Mackey said.
Vidhushi is 21 years of age and is already displaying the traits of a true leader. She is a passionate advocate for gender equality, cultural diversity and promoting the work of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In 2017, Vidushi became a student ambassador with Engineers Australia. This year, she was selected as president of Macquarie’s Engineering Society—the first time the position has been held by a woman or an international student. She continues to support fellow students and the broader community through her work on a variety of initiatives, including mentoring, study tours and excursions, industry events and fundraising—playing a pivotal role in the university raising $98,000 for cancer and motor neuron disease research at Macquarie Hospital.
The award ceremony will be held on 25 September 2018 at the Museum of Contemporary of Art at the Rocks (Sydney).