GRIFFITH PHD SCHOLAR NAMED OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
Published Thursday, 07 September, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Premier of Queensland
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Mr Sankalp Khanna, a former electronics engineer from Eastern India, has been awarded the accolade for Outstanding Achievement by an International Student as part of the Celebrating International Education and Training Industry Showcase 2006.
The first event of its kind in Australia, the Showcase recognises and celebrates Smart State institutions and individuals committed to enhancing the Queensland international student experience.
Premier Peter Beattie said the Showcase is a wonderful testament to this important industry’s achievements and highlights the academic and cultural contribution international students make to Queensland.
“This event showcases our Smart State institutions and individuals who are committed to enhancing the international student experience and leading by example which, in turn, builds our reputation internationally,” Premier Beattie said.
Sankalp came to Australia as an International Student in 2002 and enrolled in the Master of Information Technology program at Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus. He graduated at the top of his class with a GPA of 7.0 (out of 7.0).
Last year, Sankalp was the successful candidate in a competitive selection process to secure a prestigious PhD scholarship from the E-health Research Centre to investigate intelligent solutions for hospital scheduling as part of a CSIRO and Queensland Government joint venture.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Sankalp said he was grateful to pursue work to enhance the international student experience as President of the International Students Association and as the Queensland Branch Convenor of the National Liaison Committee representing International Students, the peak representative body for international students in Australia.
“I am passionate about working with international students and improving international student welfare,” Sankalp said.
“I enjoy the variety of work whether I’m welcoming students during orientation activities, helping address their grievances or holding regular meetings with state and national stakeholders.
“Coming to Australia was a turning point in my life and I have enjoyed my time in Queensland so much because of the welcoming attitude and the inclusion of the international community in all aspects of university and community life. I am looking forward to becoming an Australian citizen soon.”
Indian born Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Business student Ms Ritambra Singh was also among the ten exceptional international students nominated for their outstanding achievement.
Nominated for her work as a QUT International Student Ambassador as well as her active involvement in voluntary community work in Australia and the South Pacific, Ritambra said travel was important to her and she is proud to carry a part of Queensland with her wherever she goes.
“My international upbringing has made had a big impact on my life. I was born in India and lived there until I was four, then lived in PNG for eight years. Living and immersing yourself in a culture is a completely different experience. I would love to work for a multinational company and move every couple of years,” she said.
“I’m currently working on a community project with youth in the Pacific to raise awareness of the millennium development goals which is all about simple, practical solutions to eradicate poverty in 189 countries by 2015.”
QUT was Highly Commended in two categories: “Innovation and Creativity in the Learning Environment” which recognises best practice in developing and implementing innovative and creative student centred approaches to the design and/or delivery of international education and training services for the their Internationalising the Curriculum project; and “Taking Queensland to the World” which recognises best practice in activities that promote and enhance Queensland’s reputation as a quality study destination in international markets.
In 2005, just over 2,000 Indian students were enrolled with Queensland institutions, the large majority of whom were pursuing post graduate studies.
For information about studying in Queensland, please see the Study Queensland web site. www.studyqueensland.qld.edu.au
-ends-
For further information:
Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500
Outstanding Achievement by an International Student 2006
Winner
• Mr Sankalp Khanna, Griffith University graduate (India)
Judges’ Commendation
• Professor Victor Cubillos Godoy (Chile)
Nominees
• Mr Thierry Tokouda, Gold Coast Institute of TAFE graduate (New Caledonia)
• Mr Tao (Tony) Pang, Central Queensland University’s (CQU) Masters student (China)
• Mr Ka Ho (Jon) LAM, Mass Communication student at the Queensland University of Technology (China)
• Ms Rosemary Nyabadza, Griffith University and Rhodes Scholarship recipient (Zimbabwe)
• Ms Nguyen Quoc Nam Phuong, John Paul College student (Vietnam)
• Mr Nguyen Kinh (Jerry), PhD student, University of Queensland (Vietnam)
• Ms Ritambra Singh, Business student, Queensland University of Technology (India/PNG)
• Mr Matthew Wotton, TAFE graduate and current University of the Sunshine Coast student (UK)
The first event of its kind in Australia, the Showcase recognises and celebrates Smart State institutions and individuals committed to enhancing the Queensland international student experience.
Premier Peter Beattie said the Showcase is a wonderful testament to this important industry’s achievements and highlights the academic and cultural contribution international students make to Queensland.
“This event showcases our Smart State institutions and individuals who are committed to enhancing the international student experience and leading by example which, in turn, builds our reputation internationally,” Premier Beattie said.
Sankalp came to Australia as an International Student in 2002 and enrolled in the Master of Information Technology program at Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus. He graduated at the top of his class with a GPA of 7.0 (out of 7.0).
Last year, Sankalp was the successful candidate in a competitive selection process to secure a prestigious PhD scholarship from the E-health Research Centre to investigate intelligent solutions for hospital scheduling as part of a CSIRO and Queensland Government joint venture.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Sankalp said he was grateful to pursue work to enhance the international student experience as President of the International Students Association and as the Queensland Branch Convenor of the National Liaison Committee representing International Students, the peak representative body for international students in Australia.
“I am passionate about working with international students and improving international student welfare,” Sankalp said.
“I enjoy the variety of work whether I’m welcoming students during orientation activities, helping address their grievances or holding regular meetings with state and national stakeholders.
“Coming to Australia was a turning point in my life and I have enjoyed my time in Queensland so much because of the welcoming attitude and the inclusion of the international community in all aspects of university and community life. I am looking forward to becoming an Australian citizen soon.”
Indian born Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Business student Ms Ritambra Singh was also among the ten exceptional international students nominated for their outstanding achievement.
Nominated for her work as a QUT International Student Ambassador as well as her active involvement in voluntary community work in Australia and the South Pacific, Ritambra said travel was important to her and she is proud to carry a part of Queensland with her wherever she goes.
“My international upbringing has made had a big impact on my life. I was born in India and lived there until I was four, then lived in PNG for eight years. Living and immersing yourself in a culture is a completely different experience. I would love to work for a multinational company and move every couple of years,” she said.
“I’m currently working on a community project with youth in the Pacific to raise awareness of the millennium development goals which is all about simple, practical solutions to eradicate poverty in 189 countries by 2015.”
QUT was Highly Commended in two categories: “Innovation and Creativity in the Learning Environment” which recognises best practice in developing and implementing innovative and creative student centred approaches to the design and/or delivery of international education and training services for the their Internationalising the Curriculum project; and “Taking Queensland to the World” which recognises best practice in activities that promote and enhance Queensland’s reputation as a quality study destination in international markets.
In 2005, just over 2,000 Indian students were enrolled with Queensland institutions, the large majority of whom were pursuing post graduate studies.
For information about studying in Queensland, please see the Study Queensland web site. www.studyqueensland.qld.edu.au
-ends-
For further information:
Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500
Outstanding Achievement by an International Student 2006
Winner
• Mr Sankalp Khanna, Griffith University graduate (India)
Judges’ Commendation
• Professor Victor Cubillos Godoy (Chile)
Nominees
• Mr Thierry Tokouda, Gold Coast Institute of TAFE graduate (New Caledonia)
• Mr Tao (Tony) Pang, Central Queensland University’s (CQU) Masters student (China)
• Mr Ka Ho (Jon) LAM, Mass Communication student at the Queensland University of Technology (China)
• Ms Rosemary Nyabadza, Griffith University and Rhodes Scholarship recipient (Zimbabwe)
• Ms Nguyen Quoc Nam Phuong, John Paul College student (Vietnam)
• Mr Nguyen Kinh (Jerry), PhD student, University of Queensland (Vietnam)
• Ms Ritambra Singh, Business student, Queensland University of Technology (India/PNG)
• Mr Matthew Wotton, TAFE graduate and current University of the Sunshine Coast student (UK)