The successful return of international students to South Australia has been underlined by the achievements of four Flinders University international students at the 2022 StudyAdelaide International Student Awards.
Triumphing over the challenges of disrupted global travel, Flinders University’s international students have been recognised for their outstanding achievements across educational research and their contributions to the local community.
Flinders University students Chidozie ‘Elvis’ Chidi-Ezeama from Nigeria, Leonard Banda from Zambia, Reynal Mudiyanselage from Sri Lanka and Thi Minh Hoang from Vietnam were presented with their 2022 StudyAdelaide International Student awards during an afternoon ceremony at the National Wine Centre on Wednesday 5 October.
Nigerian international student Chidozie ‘Elvis’ Chidi-Ezeama has been awarded International Student of the Year – as well as taking the award for Academic Postgraduate Coursework – for his work designing medical devices for developing countries and community work in South Australia.
A qualified doctor in Nigeria, Elvis came to Adelaide in 2019 to study Biomedical Engineering after becoming frustrated with the lack of medical equipment available to treat patients and the healthcare divide between rich and poor in Nigeria.
His is now studying a Master of Engineering (Biomedical) at Flinders University, having received a Vice-Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation after his first year of study.
To fund his study, Elvis works as Disability Support Worker. He has also volunteered with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to provide disaster relief after the 2019-20 bushfires in South Australia, and is a member of HackerSpace Adelaide, a community of engineers helping the local community with free consultations.
This year’s wins continue outstanding success for Flinders University’s international students at the StudyAdelaide International Student Awards, including Kenyan student James Karanja being named International Student of the Year in 2021.
“This is a wonderful result and underlines the strength of our International Student program at Flinders University,” says Flinders University Vice-President and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Sebastian Raneskold.
“We are delighted that Flinders can provide the ideal environment for these students to shine, in their studies and community life. These awards are a testament to their abilities and illustrate the important contribution that international students make – both in their home country and here in South Australia.”
This year, StudyAdelaide received 220 entries for the International Student Awards from 19 educational institutions, with 38 different nationalities represented among the entrants.
Flinders University 2022 Award Winners:
Chidozie Chidi-Ezeama
Awards: International Student of the Year, Academic Postgraduate Coursework Winner
Nationality: Nigerian
Course: Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Reynal Adrien Jayatilake Tennakoon Mudiyanselage
Award: Academic Undergraduate Winner
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Course: Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine
Leonard James Banda
Award: Alumni Rising Star
Nationality: Zambian
Course: Master of Disability Policy and Practice
Thi Minh Hieu Hoang
Peer Support Highly Commended
Nationality: Vietnamese
Course: Master of Social Work