2024 WA INTERNATIONAL VET STUDENT OF THE YEAR

THE CISWA WA INTERNATIONAL VET STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD IS ABOUT RECOGNISING THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THAT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS MAKE TO THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY.

CISWA seeks to acknowledge an international student, who has demonstrated academic excellence and has contributed to enhancing the student experience both in the school and in the community.

In selecting the recipient of this award, the student’s achievements and contributions during their time as an international student in Australia are taken into consideration. Additional weight is given to any activities which promote interaction with Australian students and with the local community.

This award was not granted in 2023. We look forward to receiving some outstanding nominations for 2024.

This Award is sponsored by the Department of Training and Workforce Development. The winner is presented with a certificate, trophy and $500 prize money.

2024 WA INTERNATIONAL VET STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Awardee: Ivan Tarakanov

Sponsor: Department of Training and Workforce Development

This year’s award winner is Mr Ivan Tarakanov, a Diploma of Screen and Media student at North Metropolitan TAFE. In addition to excellent academic results, his referee attests that Ivan “has shown an exceptional passion, ability, creativity and community-oriented approach to the many projects he has undertaken”.

As a filmmaker, Ivan’s short documentary film “Follow my Voice” was a finalist at two international festivals in 2023 Orion IFF and Global Film and Music festival. As a professional dancer and choreographer, he is a member of the global dance community for over 15 years having toured in Europe, and worked in Japan, Israel, the USA and Russia. As a student, this year he was a finalist in the WA Training Awards for International Student of the Year.

In Western Australia Ivan has created groups with students and community members and staged several collaborative dance performances, raising funds for not-for-profit community groups while engaging with his peers and the local community.  Ivan also volunteered as a participant on the student panel at the CISWA Conference, making an excellent contribution to the topic “nurturing a sense of belonging”.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must currently hold a student visa
  • Be enrolled or completed a VET qualification in 2024
  • If an institution or individual is nominating a student, they must be notified of the nomination.

2024 Key Dates

  • 23rd September– Applications Open
  • 1st November– Applications Close (5pm)
  • 20th November – Judging Completed
  • 5th December – All award winners announced at StudyPerth AGM and End of Year Event

Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria Information

Self-nominating:

In 500 words or less provide a summary that addresses the below Selection Criteria:

  • Your contributions and achievements
  • Benefits to other students and/or the community of the student’s activities
  • All community and volunteer work undertaken

Nominated by a referee:

In 500 words or less provide a summary that addresses the below Selection Criteria:

  • The student’s contributions and achievements
  • Benefits to other students and/or the community of the student’s activities
  • Community and volunteer work undertaken

This award is proudly sponsored by

2022 WINNER: Quentin Moreau (Réunion Island), North Metropolitan TAFE

Brad Jolly, Executive Director | Service Delivery, Department of Training and Workforce Development, presented the WA International VET Student of the Year Award to Quentin Moreau (Réunion Island) from North Metropolitan TAFE.

Quentin has been described as a wonderful asset to the Graphic Design Course at North Metropolitan TAFE. A quietly spoken contributor whose work is always thoughtful, thoroughly executed, developed through a deep engagement with the design process and delivered with a great attention to detail with considered creativity.

Quentin has been active and connecting regularly with local industry and community having been a finalist in numerous design brief competitions/exhibitions, including a finalist in the annual Re:Act Campaign which is an annual competition aiming for road safety behaviour change. His work was assessed by a panel of higher education, road safety, workplace safety and industry partners who selects the most compelling road safety campaign.

He has actively supported his local community in Scarborough and Cottesloe by regularly joining the Coastal Clean-up Crew participating in beach clean-ups to promote a clean local environment, this is an issue which is close to Quentin’s heart as a surfer, beach goer and lover of the ocean.

Like many students during the COVID border closure period he was isolated from family. During this time Quentin has not wavered in his commitment to excellence in his craft and has consistently displayed great character and beautifully presented design work.