Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall congratulates Armidale International Hub Project Officer Dunya Alruhaimi on the group’s recent Community Engagement Award.
Tuesday, 17 October 2017
ARMIDALE’S International Student Hub has been lauded for its stellar contribution to the region’s multicultural support network, with the University of New England project recently receiving a sought after award and $40,000 in NSW Government support to continue operating.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today congratulated International Hub project officer Dunya Alruhaimi on the group’s 2017 International Student Community Engagement Award from StudyNSW.
“This award is clear proof that the International Hub is a vital service for Armidale’s growing international student population, even just a year since its inception,” Mr Marshall said.
“Moving to a new city to study can be difficult enough – a transition made all the more difficult when new residents are also contending with language or cultural barriers.
“The International Hub helps to assist international students with adopting Australian customs, while providing a sense of community to people of all cultural backgrounds.”
With offerings including free English language classes, an international women’s gym and swimming lessons, The Hub has been integral to supporting the health and wellbeing of international students studying in Armidale.
Mr Marshall said the NSW Government was providing $40,000 in co-funding to the University of New England (UNE) to continue supporting the Northern Tablelands International Community Partnership Project (The Hub).
“The Hub will offer international students opportunities to truly engage with community members in Armidale in areas outside of their day-to-day academic life,” he said.
“This funding to further support the project will continue to enhance the experience of international students studying in New England and help integrate them along with their families into the local community.”
The International Hub was launched in 2016 by StudyNSW, Bupa and UNE as a referral service offering health and wellbeing programs for international students.
International education is NSW’s largest services export and second largest export overall, worth over $8 billion to the economy and supporting over 46,000 NSW jobs.