Ly Tran
Ly Tran is a Professor in the School of Education, Deakin University. Her work focuses on international student experiences, Australian students in the Indo-Pacific, international student graduate employability, the education-migration nexus, geopolitics of international education and staff professional learning in international education. Ly’s book, ‘Teaching international students in vocational education: New pedagogical approaches’, won the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) Excellence Award for Best Practice/Innovation in International Education.
Councillor Davydd Griffiths
Councillor Davydd Griffiths was elected Councillor in November 2020. Davydd moved to Melbourne to study in 1993 and since that time has lived or worked in the City of Melbourne. Davydd worked as a school teacher for many years and remains passionate about the power of education to transform lives and connect communities. After leaving teaching he worked as a policy advisor in both education and health with a particular focus on community health provision, men’s health and mental health. Addressing the impact of loneliness, particularly in rapidly transforming urban communities, is another of Davydd’s key interests. Davydd is portfolio lead for Education and Innovation and deputy portfolio lead for City Transport, Infrastructure and Operations.
Shanton Chang
Shanton Chang is Professor of Information Behaviour at the School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne. He is currently Associate Dean (International) at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. He also co-chairs the Digital Access and Equity Program at the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and is Co-founder of the Victorian Working Group on International Student Employability (VICWise).
Shanton has had extensive experience in international education, having been involved in recruitment, SAEX, career mentoring and international education strategy and policy. He was the 2021 recipient of the IEAA Distinguished Contribution to International Education Award and was the Australian Computer Society’s ICT Educator of the Year 2017. In 2022, PIE News named him one of the top 50 influencers on International Education in Australia and ASEAN. More importantly, he is a life member of ISANA International Education Association.
Anita Van Rooyen
Self-proclaimed former ‘shyest person in the Universe’, Anita established ‘Confidence Now’ in 2014, working predominantly with individuals, dancers and performers. Realising she could have a greater long-term impact through group work with young people, she established Confidence Hackers in 2017.
A human behaviour expert, Anita is a certified practitioner in Meta Dynamics; accredited in Extended DISC (advanced human behaviour studies); and a Level 3 Certified Facilitator, with more than 10,000 hours of personal and group coaching and facilitation under her belt. She is a firm believer that fun makes learning easier and more impactful.
Anita is also the resident human behaviour expert at Good Health Radio where she provides regular content about understanding self and others.
Dr Fiona Swee-Lin Price
Dr Fiona Swee-Lin Price is a cross-cultural communication specialist with an innovative and practical approach to diversity. As a bicultural expert in her field, she draws on a rare combination of lived experience, academic qualifications and extensive experience as a facilitator and consultant. As a facilitator and speaker, she is a compelling and dynamic storyteller who can provoke both thought and laughter from the most complex and sensitive of topics.
Fiona believes that the best way to create a cohesive diverse community is through teaching, rather than preaching. Her ultimate goal is to give people the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to engage positively and effectively across cultures.
Danielle Hartridge
Danielle is a leading expert in international education with extensive experience working in the university sector. Danielle began her career at Monash University in 1991 where she held the position of Manager International Student Support. In 2005, she was appointed to the position of Associate Director International Student Experience at Victoria University and was the ISANA National President from 2010-2013.
Danielle has a deep understanding of the international education landscape. Her expertise spans international student support, ESOS compliance and organisational management. Danielle is the recipient of the prestigious IEAA Distinguished Contribution to International Education Award, the Victorian Multicultural Award for Service Delivery to a Multicultural Victoria and was awarded ISANA Life Membership 2015.
Danielle works closely with international education providers, offering consultation and advice on international education matters related to the international student experience and ESOS compliance. A regular contributor to professional development activities, through the development of online resources and face-to-face workshops.
Melanie Duncan
Melanie Duncan has worked in higher education for over 20 years with extensive expertise in international admissions; designing and implementing policies, procedures and processes within an ESOS/TEQSA framework; leading international-specific campuses for both universities and third-party providers; and leading teams of international education professionals across all tertiary international student lifecycle administrative processes and wellbeing service delivery.
Melanie’s work embeds enterprise-wide risk management practices with key compliance responsibilities as part of her management roles since 2006. Over this time, she has been responsible for the ensuring that her providers’ and teams’ processes, policies and practices meet the obligations of the ESOS Act 2000; National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education to Overseas Students (2007 & 2018); TEQSA Health and Wellbeing Guidelines; and TEQSA Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.
Mary Mai
Mary Mai has worked for almost a decade in volunteer management and public engagement within the City of Melbourne. As a Community Activation and Engagement Officer in the International Education team, she manages the My Melbourne program with curated events and oversees the strategic implementation of the Student Ambassador program and other valuable support and wellbeing programs for international students.
Clare Harper
Clare Harper is the Senior Manager, Student Programs and Study Melbourne Hub, in the Study Melbourne team of Global Victoria. Clare holds a Masters in International Education and has worked in a broad range of international education and leadership roles for over 20 years in Australia and overseas, most recently at Monash College and the University of Melbourne.
Cate Gilpin
Cate Gilpin works for Welcoming Australia as the Queensland coordinator for Welcoming Cities and the national coordinator for Welcoming Universities. In these roles she works to embed welcoming and social inclusion across councils, universities, and their associated communities.
Cate has qualifications in human services, research, community arts and creative industries. Cate’s career began in the arts and cultural sector, curating community based arts projects and events. Before she moved into the higher education sector, working with different student cohorts to support their study pathways and experiences, and to connect them with industry and post-study opportunities.
Cate is also a freelance writer, and the coordinator of a multicultural playgroup in Brisbane.
Olga Cherniak
Olga Cherniak is a research, policy, and data analyst with an experience in not-for-profit sector in migration, settlement, gender, and health. She has led projects on multilingual strategic emergency communications, violence prevention frameworks and improving educational outcomes for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Over the last few years Olga has been working in the Australian migration and settlement sector with an aim to foster social cohesion and inclusive social and economic participation. Olga is currently working as Senior research Analyst at Welcoming Australia and is also a board director at Forcibly Displaced People Network.
Nick Ko
Nick has worked in the education sector to support international students for over 9 years and is currently taking further study in Master of Social Work at the University of Melbourne while providing Affordable Counselling for International Students at Live Your Story Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Sharon Cook
Sharon is an experienced Service Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Sharon is skilled in Non-profit Organizations, Analytical Skills, Government, Event Management, and International Relations. Sharon is a strong management professional graduating from Melbourne Business School.
Gary Lee
From international student, to Senior Fellow of the International Education Association Australia (IEAA), being recognised as the Australian Day Council ‘New Australian of the Year’ and just recently, an Order of Australia Medal, Gary has long been a passionate member of the international education community. He is currently the Manager, International Education at the City of Melbourne.
Dynamic, creative and visionary, he has over 20 years’ experience in the areas of high level strategic planning and design; policy development and advice; design and delivery of complex projects and student wellbeing initiatives. He has also championed many breakthrough initiatives which includes the Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome, the Melbourne International Student Conference (MISC), the ‘Act of Translation’ theatre project and The Couch – International Student Centre.
Gary is a member of numerous advisory committees including the North Melbourne Football Club’s The Huddle, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Regional Advisory Council, Crime Stoppers Victoria, the Australian Government’s Best Practice in International Student Engagement Project and the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF).
Budi Sudarto
Budi is a Research Officer at Monash University and the Director of Ananda Training and Consultancy. Budi came to Australia in 1998 as an international student and have continued to use their academic knowledge, lived and living experiences to advocate for intersectionality, equity, and justice. Budi’s research focuses on sexual health, sexuality, health equity, and multicultural communities including international students and newly arrived gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Budi is also an active member of the Australia’s LGBTIQA+ communities, bringing their intersectionality (gay, non-binary, Muslim, Indonesian) to influence positive change within the LGBTIQA+, ethnic and faith communities, and the Australian society in general.
Helen Nicholls-Stary
With over 23 years of working in international student support, Helen has worked in the school and Higher education sectors. As Co-Founder and Program Manager for The Lounge International Student Centre, Helen continues to provide support to all international students in Geelong through the creative range of social engagement opportunities to encourage a greater sense of belonging in the local community.
Recipient of three Vice Chancellor Awards at Deakin, in recognition of her excellent contribution, Helen led the Specialist Student Support team which comprised of the International Student Support Officer team and the Senior Student Advisers – Case Management, who supported students with multiple and complex issues.
With extensive experience traveling, living, and working overseas Helen has developed high-level cross-cultural competencies. This has enabled her to deliver quality intercultural programs that contribute to improving the international student experience.
Helen has been a member of the Multicultural Action Plan Advisory Committee in Geelong for over 10 years, as well as a member of the Victorian Multicultural Commission Barwon Regional Advisory Committee, and a Geelong Food Relief Centre Board Member.
Helen has been a member of ISANA for over 15 years and is currently the Branch President for the Vic/Tas Branch. Helen has presented within Australia and internationally.
Lingling Sun
Lingling, a seasoned educator with over a decade of teaching experience in both early childhood and primary education, holds dual Master’s degrees from Monash University and the University of Melbourne in education and teaching. For more than 7 years, she has been a dedicated member of a prominent P-12 school, actively supporting students and families in fostering strong school engagement in addition to her teaching role.
Lingling’s unique vantage point has allowed her to witness the challenges arising from cultural differences, making mutual understanding a cumbersome and arduous exercise. This insight led to her co-founding Education Boulevard, a venture aimed at bridging the culture and language gap to foster meaningful connections in the school education context. Through Education Boulevard, she has devoted her non-teaching time to facilitating better collaboration between schools and parents, creating a more inclusive and supportive educational experience for families from diverse backgrounds.
Amanda Abeysinghe
Amanda Abeysinghe (she/her) is currently studying a Master of Business Management Degree at CQ University Melbourne. She is a Study Melbourne Ambassador as well as a Social Ambassador at CQ University, and her role is focused on enhancing the student experience on-campus and online.
A lawyer by profession, she completed her Attorneys-at-Law at Sri Lanka Law College and her bachelor’s degree in business management specialising in Human Resources at Kelaniya University, Sri Lanka.
Amanda is constantly on a mission to help, serve and elevate the lives of others. Therefore, she has always aligned her education and career choices, be it Law, Human Resources, or teaching, alongside the goal of changing someone’s life or adding value to it.
Divya Sharma
Divyangana (Divya) (she/her), is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Holmesglen Institute where she has been chair of Holmesglen’s Student Representative Council.She supported the Victorian pandemic workforce while continuing her studies, is a mental health advocate and uses various platforms to spread awareness about mental health.
Divya is the recipient of Study Melbourne’s International Student of The Year in the Higher Education category and the winner of the Premier’s Award 2021-22.
Jayden Huang
Jayden (he/him) recently graduated in Psychology from the University of Melbourne and is now enrolled in a Master of Commerce at Monash University. As a Study Melbourne Ambassador Jayden is passionate and energetic and enjoys sharing his wonderful experiences as an international student in Victoria with many other students. Jayden has participated in numerous leadership, volunteering and extracurricular activities which he believes allows him to broaden his horizons and grow.
Riyadh Almalki
My name is Riyadh Mohammed, I arrived to Melbourne in 2019. I completed my bachelor degree in Business management from RMIT in 2021. I have got my first professional job at The Salvation Army as a Project Co-ordinator. I manage a program called The Couch – international student centre where students socialize, make new friends, attend free events, and enjoy free dinner. During my time in this role, I have been able to build a community of individuals who come from different part of the world. Also, I have been able to connect international students with different organization to ensure they are aware of the available resources that can help them in Melbourne. We have been able to provide different supports such as employment advice, material aids, and a space to call home away from home.
Kai Wondwosson Kassie
With a rich background in supporting international students, Kai plays a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being and success of fellow students in Geelong. Having served as a mentor as part of the Deakin Equity and Access Program and as a Wellbeing Ambassador, Kai now leads as the Program Coordinator at The Lounge International Student Centre. In this capacity, Kai collaborates with a dynamic team of international students to curate and deliver exciting events and workshops tailored to international students, fostering a sense of belonging and personal growth.
Kai’s commitment to international students extends beyond professional roles—it’s personal. As an international student, born in Ethiopia and having lived in Kenya for 16 years, Kai understands the unique challenges and aspirations of pursuing education in a foreign land. This personal journey instils a profound understanding of the challenges and aspirations faced by international students.