The Northern Territory has marked nine years of celebrating its global student community with the 2025 Study NT International Student Awards, honouring outstanding achievers and the organisations supporting them. Minister for International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill OAM MLA, said the event reflected the Finocchiaro Government’s focus on attracting and keeping talented students who contribute to the Territory’s growth.
“Celebrating the achievements of our international students aligns with the CLP Government’s commitment to rebuilding the economy by attracting and retaining the brightest global talent,” Minister Cahill said. She added that the Territory’s reputation as a study destination continued to strengthen, noting: “Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists, and winners of the 2025 International Student Awards, as well as to the Study NT Student Ambassadors who have successfully completed the program. The NT continues to attract some of the most promising and brightest minds from around the world, reinforcing our position as a leading study destination.”
The top honour, International Student of the Year, was awarded to Gilbertofer Tanoto from Charles Darwin University. Since arriving from Indonesia, he has become known for advocacy, peer support, and steady leadership across the student community. Minister Cahill said his story captured the spirit of the awards. “The Awards showcase the outstanding quality of our international student community, individuals who have gone above and beyond to make meaningful contributions to the NT.”
Recognition extended to employers, with Kinetic IT receiving the International Student Employer of the Year award for its program offering paid internships, work experience, and graduate pathways tailored to student needs.
The ceremony also marked the graduation of the 2025 Study NT Student Ambassadors, who have spent the year promoting the Territory as a destination for learning and opportunity. A new category, Student Ambassador of the Year, was introduced to acknowledge standout leadership. The inaugural award went to Mit Dinh from Vietnam, a CDU student whose efforts have shaped the ambassador program’s reach.
Alongside the winners were students from countries including Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Brazil, the Philippines, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and China, recognised as graduating ambassadors who have helped share the Territory’s story with prospective students around the world. Their presence reflected a community that continues to grow in diversity and ambition, shaped by students who build lasting ties with the NT.
2025 Study NT International Student Award Winners
- International Student of the Year: Gilbertofer Tanoto, Indonesia, CDU
- International Student Alumni of the Year: Ali Dhirani, Tanzania, CDU
- International Student Volunteer of the Year: Mengdie Momo Zhao, China, CDU
- International Student Employer of the Year: Kinetic IT
- Student Ambassador of the Year: Mit Dinh, Vietnam, CDU
NT Student Ambassador Graduates
- Abdurrahman Aliyu, Nigeria, CDU
- Amina Salha, India, CDU
- Araiz Ahmad, Pakistan, Darwin High School
- Bernardo Massard, Brazil, Sydney City College
- Clarilyn Quirante Isip, Philippines, Latitude College
- Daniellee Jane Delfin, Philippines, Alane Kaye College
- Ivan Nieto, Colombia, Latitude College
- Gilbertofer Tanoto, Indonesia, CDU
- Hadisurya Sugiharto Temmuyin, Indonesia, CDU
- Howard Mai, China, CDU
- Harnoor Kaur, India, St John’s Catholic College
- Ishan Sumanasekara, Sri Lanka, CDU
- Muhammad Kamal Chohan, Pakistan, CDU
- Nithya Romeshika Yamasinghe, Sri Lanka, CDU
- Sana-e-Zehra Haidry, Pakistan, CDU
- Thanh Trung Do (James), Vietnam, CDU
- Kome Tran, Vietnam, CDU
- Mit Dinh, Vietnam, CDU
- Wenqing Yang, China, CDU
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