The Northern Territory has celebrated the outstanding achievements of its international student community at the 2025 Study NT International Student Awards, marking nine years of recognising excellence, leadership, and the contributions international students bring to the Territory.
Minister for International Education, Migration and Population, Robyn Cahill OAM MLA, congratulated this year’s nominees, finalists, and award recipients, emphasising the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s commitment to attracting and retaining global talent.
“Celebrating the achievements of our international students aligns with the CLP Government’s commitment to rebuilding the economy by attracting and retaining the brightest global talent,” Minister Cahill said. “The NT continues to attract some of the most promising and brightest minds from around the world, reinforcing our position as a leading study destination.”
The Territory’s top honour, Study NT International Student of the Year, was awarded to Gilbertofer Tanoto from Charles Darwin University. Since arriving from Indonesia, Gilbertofer has become a respected advocate for student needs, a peer mentor, and a dedicated community leader.
The Awards also acknowledged the crucial role of employers in supporting international students. Kinetic IT was named International Student Employer of the Year for its comprehensive program offering paid internships, work experience, and pathways into graduate roles.
Held alongside the graduation of the 2025 Study NT Student Ambassadors, the ceremony also saw the introduction of a brand new accolade — Student Ambassador of the Year. The inaugural award went to Mit Dinh from Vietnam, also of CDU, for exceptional leadership and dedication to promoting the NT as a premier study destination.
The event highlighted the impact international students continue to have across the Territory — as leaders, innovators, volunteers, and emerging professionals — strengthening the NT’s cultural vibrancy and global connections.
The Koala congratulates the following:
2025 Study NT International Student Award Winners
- International Student of the Year:Gilbertofer Tanoto, Indonesia, CDU
- International Student Alumni of the Year:Ali Dhirani, Tanzania, CDU
- International Student Volunteer of the Year:Mengdie Momo Zhao, China, CDU
- International Student Employer of the Year:Kinetic IT
- Student Ambassador of the Year:Mit Dinh, Vietnam, CDU
NT Student Ambassador Graduates
- Abdurrahman Aliyu, Nigeria, CDU
- Amina Salha, India, CDU
- Araiz Ahmad, Pakistan, Darwin High School
- Bernardo Massard, Brazil, Sydney City College
- Clarilyn Quirante Isip, Philippines, Latitude College
- Daniellee Jane Delfin, Philippines, Alane Kaye College
- Ivan Nieto, Colombia, Latitude College
- Gilbertofer Tanoto, Indonesia, CDU
- Hadisurya Sugiharto Temmuyin, Indonesia, CDU
- Howard Mai, China, CDU
- Harnoor Kaur, India, St John’s Catholic College
- Ishan Sumanasekara, Sri Lanka, CDU
- Muhammad Kamal Chohan, Pakistan, CDU
- Nithya Romeshika Yamasinghe, Sri Lanka, CDU
- Sana-e-Zehra Haidry, Pakistan, CDU
- Thanh Trung Do (James), Vietnam, CDU
- Kome Tran, Vietnam, CDU
- Mit Dinh, Vietnam, CDU
- Wenqing Yang, China, CDU
