The awards, which were organised by Trade and Investment Queensland, saw seven international students from six countries and one industry representative acknowledged for their contributions.

“What we’re celebrating tonight is actually seeing the very best of cultural diversity give something back to the Queensland area”

“These awards are all about acknowledging the industry leaders, the community and business contributors, but most importantly the students with whom we wouldn’t have an industry,” trade and investment minister Curtis Pitt said during the ceremony.

Pitt added the awards looked past the economic contribution international students made to Queensland, and instead acknowledged the community benefit provided by increased multiculturalism.

“We have to emphasise the international student contribution is far more than the economic. This is about establishing international networks,” he said.

“It’s about people who study here in Queensland, hopefully being immersed in our culture… and eventually maybe [coming] back here as a person who can contribute back to Queensland in some future way or be a key decision maker in their own country.”

The industry award was won by Study Cairn’s chief executive, Carol Doyle, for her work in helping to promote the regional city Cairns as a study destination.

International education has received bipartisan support within Queensland with opposition minister Steve Minnikin also attending the awards.

“You’re not just here to study for a body of knowledge,” he told the student winners.

“It’s more than that. What we’re celebrating tonight is actually seeing the very best of cultural diversity give something back to the Queensland area.”

International education sits behind only tourism as Queensland’s largest services export, with the state attracting over 110,000 international students last year.

IET Excellence Award Winners

• Higher Education – Barani Ganapathi, India, University of Queensland
• Regional – Reuben George, Canada, James Cook University
• VET – Simon Witt, the Netherlands, Envirotech Education
• School – Taehwan Kim, Korea, Brisbane Boys College
• Research – Partha Narayan Mishra, India, University of Queensland
• ELICOS – Carol Santiago, Brazil, University of Queensland
• Alumni – Dr Linh Tran, Head, Vietnam, Navitas
• Industry – Carol Doyle, President, Study Cairns