International students, who contribute significantly to the vibrant community life of Armidale, were honoured at a Civic Welcome by Armidale Dumaresq Council at the Town Hall last Friday.
Mayor Peter Ducat, along with special guests UNE Chancellor Richard Torbay and UNE Vice Chancellor Jim Barber, welcomed the students to town.
“It’s a great event and something that we are very proud of as a community,” Mayor Peter Ducat said.
“The international students are a great part of our community; they add greatly to our culture, to our richness, to our diversity, and it is such an honour to be able to say welcome.”
Students from a diverse range of countries, including China, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Fiji, Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan took part in the Civic Welcome.
An Indonesian student from the island of Bali, Putri Komaladara, who is studying Agriculture/Economics at UNE was honoured to be involved in the Civic Welcome.
“It is such an honour to be invited to an event like this,” Putri said.
“I have found Armidale to be a beautiful city, very scenic.
“I came here on my own and have made many new international and Australian friends.”
When Putri finishes her studies, she is looking forward to going back to Bali as a researcher or lecturer at the university.
“Around 70 per cent of Indonesians are farmers or have work related to farms, so hopefully I can make policies that improve agriculture in my country and teach the people in the university what I have learnt here.”
Story: Jo Harrison
