Vietnamese student Dang Thi Huong has overtaken more than 1,000 foreign students in Australia to receive the ‘Victorian International Student of the Year’ award and the ‘Premier’s Award – International Student of the Year’ at the Victorian International Education Awards 2013.

Moreover, she also earned a 20,000 AUD (18,700 USD) scholarship to get into RMIT Melbourne and become a bachelor of Business Entrepreneurship.

Sharing her emotions immediately after receiving the awards, Huong said her achievement marks a huge step forward in her study and brings her closer to her dream of getting a bachelor degree.

It also shows that good things can come to disadvantaged children if they have a chance to study and strive to follow their dreams, she said.

After finishing studying in Australia, Huong wants to return to KOTO Vietnam - a social enterprises training streets children in restaurant and hotels professions - and help needy children change their lives.

Dang Thi Huong, born in 1986 in Vinh Phuc province, used to be a trainee at KOTO. She is now pursuing a Diploma in Business Management at Box Hill Institute, Melbourne as well as taking on the role of Media and Communications Manager for KOTO International as a volunteer.

Australia is one of the biggest host countries for Vietnamese students, with over 17,500. Before Huong, several Vietnamese students have been recognised with international education awards in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.-VNA