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Conference Awards – Past Recipients

2024 Awards

International students’ nomination for an outstanding support program

UNSW Water Safety Program

Over 25% of drownings in Australia occur within culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Research also shows that international students are at high risk of drowning with 85% arriving with no knowledge of the Australian beach safety flag system. A practical and immersive experience is needed to create generational change, reduce drowning fatalities and shift the dial on inclusivity in beach culture. 

The UNSW Water Safety Program began in 2018 with a pilot learn-to-swim program. Since then, it has introduced a beach safety walk in 2022, a beach safety program in 2023 and a grant program in 2024. UNSW’s adaptable step-based model is now positioned at the forefront of water safety education, starting with developing knowledge through skills to work-based employment. Since 2018, over 1700 students have passed through the Program from over 50 countries. From July 2023 to July 2024, over 1100 students have participated, and 5000 students have engaged in the water safety program.  

Through collaborations with UNSW researchers, SLS NSW, local surf clubs and aquatic centres, the evidence-based program fosters a sense of belonging, cultural integration, and empowerment among participants improving their study experience in Australia. In 2024, four UNSW international students became surf life savers at Coogee Beach marking a milestone in UNSW’s commitment to creating water safety ambassadors. Many other graduates from the program have also gained employment in the aquatic industry. The UNSW Water Safety Program is not just about saving lives, it offers an important avenue for international students to engage with the Australian community to build social licence, gain employment and improve their health and wellbeing.  

Recognising that more collaboration was needed in the international student sector, UNSW pioneered the Water Safety for International Students (WSIS) Community of Practice (CoP), bringing together nine educational providers, government, local council, NSW Police, Surf Life Saving Australia, and community organisations. The WSIS CoP is another example of UNSW’s commitment to water safety excellence, aiming to bring about changes in policy, develop new resources and promote collaboration for potentially life-saving activities. In November, the WSIS CoP led by UNSW is delivering a beach program with multiple universities sponsored by the NSW Government. A toolkit will be produced enabling the beach program to be replicated by the education sector around the country. This program represents the first time that the international education sector is coming together as a collective to address and prioritise water safety in NSW. 

ISANA Members’ award for an outstanding individual

Param Artputhanathan, VICTAS President, nominated by Judith Little, ISANA VICTAS Member and Peter Keel, ISANA VICTAS Branch Secretary.

Param is Manager, International Student Engagement, Monash University and is committed to ensuring that international students have a safe, healthy and successful time in Australia and works hard towards this goal. 

Having studied in Australia, been a leader of a student association, a College Head at a Residential Hall and a member of the International Student Engagement team for almost 12 years, Param bring great experience to his role. He understands the international experience in a way that many cannot and can relate to our diverse population of students. 

Param’s knowledge of the ESOS legislation and framework is excellent and he can always unpack a scenario in relation to our responsibilities to students. He provides data, information and analysis on international student affairs and is trusted as an expert. Param gains a great deal from networking with colleagues, learning from them and discussing perspectives on current issues. 

Param is calm, capable and compassionate, particularly when managing critical incidents. He makes smart decisions and takes everything into account, even in times of stress and loss. He makes handling these difficult situations much easier as he can be relied upon to know what should happen next. We are impressed by how he addresses matters, debriefs and looks at ways to improve our processes. 

Param is an excellent leader, steering our team towards new initiatives that will further enhance the international student experience. He meets weekly with his staff to talk through cases and upcoming programs, providing clear guidance and direction. The staff find him very approachable, considerate of their needs and accommodating. They appreciate the freedom he provides them to follow their instincts, and he will back them. He also encourages professional development through Monash, ISANA and Study Melbourne programs and for them to gain experience in a variety of tasks. 

Param is a proud member of ISANA and appreciates his role as the Victorian/Tasmanian Branch President. He sees this as another way to give back to the international education sector that he is passionate about and a great way to network with like-minded people across Australia.  

I believe Param is a worthy nominee for the ISANA Member’s award for an outstanding individual as he provides exceptional service from individual case management to broader advocacy; from orientation programs through to final year support; from program facilitation to policy development and everything in between. We learn from him everyday and are so glad to have him on our team. 

ISANA Council award for an outstanding individual contribution to ISANA

Sarah Cruz, Past President, ISANA SANiTy Branch, nominated by Kathy Matthews, ISANA SANiTy Branch Treasurer. 

Over the past 9 years Sarah has been involved in the International Student arena having worked for Study Adelaide as their Student Engagement Manager. During this period Sarah has stepped up to be the President and Co-President of SANiTy.  Sarah thrives on supporting and engaging with international students in South Australia and building connections and growing communities.  Sarah has been a vibrant and pro-active President over her tenure ensuring that her can-do attitude has pushed out small volunteer team to produce positive PD sessions and engage with the wider International Student Community.    Sarah has leveraged her Study Adelaide community to involve them in ISANA and the community in Adelaide is richer for this.  Her dedication and leadership has forged new ways of doing PD and during COVID times Sarah was instrumental in continuing to commit to delivery sessions even though face to face was not possible.  

2023 Awards

International students’ nomination for an outstanding support program

ISANA members’ award for an outstanding individual

ISANA Council award for an outstanding individual contribution to ISANA

2019 ISANA Awards

The 30th anniversary ISANA National Conference saw the reintroduction of the ISANA Awards. These awards were given for the first time in 2006 and recognise the important work the association does to support international students and the staff who work with them.

International students’ nomination for an outstanding support program

Joint winners:

  • PSW (Social Work) mentoring project for international students and Community Centre Projects for Work Integrated Learning
  • TEDxMonash University
    • Project Institute/Association: Monash University Student Association (MONSU)
    • Project Leader: Syed Nahid Pasha
    • Read more about the program

ISANA members’ award for an outstanding individual

ISANA Council award for an outstanding individual contribution to ISANA