Dozens of overseas students trained in Darwin are putting back into the NT economy

The latest cohort of international students to receive their qualificationsin Darwin have revealed their aspirations as they pay tribute to Sifat after his alleged murder.

The latest International College of Advanced Education graduates have revealed their aspirations for the Territory while paying tribute to Bangladeshi student Ishaqur Rahman Sifat.

Among the 66 students to receive their qualifications on Thursday was 29-year-old Piyumee Samarasinghe who, clutching her Certificate 4 in Commercial Cooking, hopes to remain in Darwin.

Ms Samarasinghe said working at Hanuman had been a “great opportunity” and aspired to stay in Darwin.

“All the chefs and everybody’s very supportive and I’m putting into practice what I’ve learnt at ICAE,” she said.

“Coming from overseas if you’re planning to study commercial cookery, bakery, remedial massage, business, beauty therapy then ICAE is the place to study.

Piyumee Samarasinghe, who graduated from International College of Advanced Education with a Certificate 4 in Commercial Cookery. May 2023

“I love Darwin and want to stay here. It’s feels very homely to me and its similar to what I had in Sri Lanka when I was growing up there.”

More than 200 people filled the ICAE hall where and chief executive Sean Mahoney celebrated the graduation by sabring the corks from the champagne bottles that filled the bubbly tower students poured as the ceremony ended.

On the 25th anniversary of ICAE, Mr Mahoney said every one of the graduating students already had jobs in Darwin.

He said international students recognised Darwin for its high education standards and casual lifestyle.

Sean Mahoney, owner and chief executive of International College of Advanced Education, speaks during the graduation May 2023

“There’s outstanding employment outcomes during study and also if students are eligible post study,” he said.

“At ICAE we’ve got additional work rights while students are studying which suits the labour market shortage and allows our to students become important contributors to solving the skills and labour shortage in the NT.”

As well as congratulating the graduates, Mr Mahoney’s voice trembled as he paid tribute to 23-year-old Bangladeshi student Ishaqur Rahman Sifat, who was killed during an alleged home invasion in Millner earlier this month.

Students celebrate their graduation at International College of Advanced Education May 2023

“It’s a challenging time but we need to remember that our students come to us in good faith because Darwin is a good place to live and there are many opportunities here, but the world could be a better place,” Mr Mahoney said.

“I extend best wishes to him and his family.”

International Education Minister Ngaree Ah Kit and her CLP counterpart Jo Hersey and former education minister Daryl Manzie were among the crowd of dignitaries at Thursday’s graduation in Rapid Creek.

Graduates during the International College of Advanced Education ceremony May 2023

Students graduated from a range of courses including Advanced Diploma Hospitality Management, Diploma of Hospitality Management, Certificate IV in Hospitality, and Certificate 4 in Kitchen Management.

Ms Ah Kit said ICAE’s graduation was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of international students.

She said there was currently about 4160 overseas currently in the NT and she praised their contribution and courage.

“Every single graduate today has a story and we hope that we keep every single one in the Northern Territory,” she said.

“If not, we want them to share their story with everybody that they know overseas because the international education sector just brings so much value.”

Ms Ah Kit said she had instructed her department to review its target to attract 10,000 international students to the NT by 2025.

“The 10,000 target was set before the impact of the international pandemic and halted students actually travelling to Australia to undertake education,” she said.

“The sector was decimated and really impacted.”