The Northern Territory has unveiled its 2026 Study NT Student Ambassadors, with 20 international students selected to represent the Territory and promote it as a leading global study destination.
The announcement was welcomed by Minister for International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill, who said international education remains a cornerstone of the Country Liberal Party Government’s year of growth, certainty and security.
“International students make a significant contribution to our community, strengthening our workforce capability, fostering innovation, and enriching out community’s cultural and social fabric. These twenty outstanding international students will play a critical role in promoting the Territory as a premier study destination,” Minister Cahill said. “A positive experience shared by international students has ongoing impacts in attracting more students to the Territory. By celebrating our international student community, we are enriching their study experience and enhancing our international education sector.”
Now in its 10th year, the Study NT Ambassador program has welcomed more than 200 students across 11 cohorts. Beyond promotion, the program is designed to strengthen skills, encourage innovation and build global connections that contribute directly to the Territory’s economy. Ambassadors attend industry and community events and work alongside local businesses to raise the international profile of the NT’s education sector.
For many of the 2026 cohort, volunteering has shaped their Territory experience. Ambassador Mengdie Momo Zhao said, “since arriving in the Northern Territory, volunteering has become one of the most rewarding parts of my life. I support residents in recovery at Banyan House and encourage Aboriginal youth to enjoy sport and art through the Darwin Launch Night Series”.
Fellow ambassador Lakshi Jayawila added, “volunteering with the Australian Red Cross and supporting the Multicultural Community has been incredibly meaningful. It’s helped me give back to the Territory and feel more connected to the community.”
The ambassadors represent a diverse mix of countries and institutions, including Charles Darwin University, Alana Kaye College, Haileybury Rendall School, the Canterbury Institute of Management, Darwin City College and Latitude College. Together, they will share their personal journeys and showcase the Territory’s education offerings to audiences both at home and abroad.
The 2026 Study NT Student Ambassadors are
- Akshata Bhusal, Nepal, Charles Darwin University (CDU)
- Anamaria Aldazabal Sanchez, Peru, CDU
- Fadziso Mango, Zimbabwe, CDU
- Henna Erica Sta Maria, Philippines, Alana Kaye College
- Hernani Pires Neto, Brazil, Alana Kaye College
- Junhao (Jayno) Zhang, China, Haileybury Rendall School
- Kinley Wangmo, Bhutan, CDU
- Lakshi Sandamali Jayawila, Sri Lanka, Canterbury Institute of Management (CIM)
- Mengdie Zhao (Momo), China, CDU
- Nga Man Wong (Iris), Hong Kong SAR, CDU
- Nushrat Islam Bhuiyan, Bangladesh, CDU
- Pawan Kandel, Nepal, CDU
- Phuong Tran Tran (Jane), Vietnam, CDU
- Quang Thuan Nguyen (Vincent), Vietnam, CIM
- Rana Zaid Hassan, Pakistan, Darwin City College
- Samia Akter, Bangladesh, CDU
- Sayeed Anwer, Bangladesh, CDU
- Tania Valentina Cortes Aristizabal, Colombia, Latitude College
- Yee Chyi Too, Malaysia, CDU
- Yixiang Wang (Jerry), China, CDU
As the Territory continues to position itself as a study destination of choice, the 2026 ambassadors will serve as both storytellers and connectors, highlighting not only academic opportunity but also the community engagement and cultural exchange that define the Northern Territory experience.
