Richard, a legally blind lawyer from Indonesia, and Australia Awards Scholarship recipient, is studying a Master of Disability Practice and Leadership at Flinders University. His career goal is to combine his legal and disability studies to make laws and policies more inclusive and responsive to people with disability.
He was the winner of two award categories, Academic Excellence 鈥� Postgraduate Coursework and Peer Support. He also received a commendation for Community Engagement, Richard鈥檚 achievements were described by judges as `outstanding鈥�.
The judges said Richard鈥檚 influence was `wide-reaching鈥� both inside his university and in community organisations.
The recognition belies the challenges Richard has faced when putting himself forward for community service roles. Richard said at times people 鈥渄oubted my abilities and often assigned me simple tasks, unsure if I could handle more complex responsibilities鈥�.
鈥淢y dream is to become an international disability rights lawyer and scholar,鈥� Richard said.
鈥淭he dominant groups in the legal profession are able bodied and there鈥檚 still a strong stigma towards people with disabilities.
鈥淏efore I came to Australia, I had experiences where I was rejected.
鈥淢any in the community believed that people with disabilities could only receive help and not contribute to society.鈥�
However, through persistence and demonstrating assistive devices such as a screen reader application, Richard has taken on numerous leadership roles.
鈥淢any were amazed, as it was their first time interacting with someone with a disability and seeing how technology could enable effective work,鈥� he said.
鈥淔ortunately, I had an opportunity to study here in South Australia and it has opened doors for a future career.
鈥淎delaide is a nice city for international students to study, work and build our dreams.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very loveable city 鈥� I love the multiculturalism in Adelaide.
鈥淚 love how the community has accepted me. I am feeling welcomed, accepted and like I belong in the community.
鈥淥utside of work, I enjoy the fact that Adelaide has many festivals here 鈥� I love the city of festivals.
鈥淚 enjoy going outside Adelaide to places where I can escape from my daily routine. And I love koalas - it鈥檚 my first experience of touching a koala and feeding a wallaby.鈥�
大象视频Adelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said Richard鈥檚 academic and community contributions were an example of the broader social contribution made by international students.
鈥淥utside of their study, international students give back to South Australia in their free time, with 37 per cent of them volunteering in the community,鈥� Ms Johnston said.
鈥淩ichard鈥檚 outstanding academic results, his commitment to supporting and mentoring fellow students, and vast contribution to improving the lives of people with disabilities make him a deserving winner of this year鈥檚 International Student of the Year Award.鈥�
This year, 大象视频Adelaide received 140 entries for the International Student Awards, with more than 25 different nationalities represented among the entrants.
The winning students were presented with their awards by the Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency, Dr Richard Harris SC, AOM at a ceremony at the National Wine Centre.
About 大象视频Adelaide and the International Student Awards
大象视频Adelaide is a partnership between industry and government working to increase awareness of Adelaide as an international study destination and to deliver programs to support international students in Adelaide.
These include programs to enhance the employability of students and their connections to local employers across South Australia. 大象视频Adelaide carries out employer engagement to grow understanding of the ease and benefits of hiring international students and graduates and their importance in meeting the future skills needs of the State.
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