Giving back brings rewards for talented international student of the year

Scooping up accolades for academic excellence, for supporting his peers and for giving back to the community, Richard Kennedy is the triple threat of the classroom.

The Flinders University postgraduate student has been named 2024 International Student of the Year by StudyAdelaide at its annual awards ceremony.

Richard, a legally blind lawyer from Indonesia, is studying a Master of Disability Practice and Leadership and 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 – Postgraduate Coursework and Peer Support. He also received a commendation for Community Engagement, Richard’s achievements were described by judges as 'outstanding’.

The judges said Richard’s influence was 'wide-reaching’ 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 “doubted my abilities and often assigned me simple tasks, unsure if I could handle more complex responsibilities”.

“My dream is to become an international disability rights lawyer and scholar,” Richard said.

“The dominant groups in the legal profession are able bodied and there’s still a strong stigma towards people with disabilities.

“Before I came to Australia, I had experiences where I was rejected.

“Many in the community believed that people with disabilities could only receive help and not contribute to society.”

However, through persistence and demonstrating assistive devices such as a screen reader application, Richard has taken on numerous leadership roles.

“Many were amazed, as it was their first time interacting with someone with a disability and seeing how technology could enable effective work,” he said.

“Fortunately, I had an opportunity to study here in South Australia and it has opened doors for a future career.
 
“Adelaide is a nice city for international students to study, work and build our dreams.

“It’s a very loveable city – I love the multiculturalism in Adelaide.

“I love how the community has accepted me. I am feeling welcomed, accepted and like I belong in the community.

“Outside of work, I enjoy the fact that Adelaide has many festivals here – I love the city of festivals.

“I enjoy going outside Adelaide to places where I can escape from my daily routine. And I love koalas - it’s my first experience of touching a koala and feeding a wallaby.”

StudyAdelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said Richard’s academic and community contributions were an example of the broader social contribution made by international students.

“Outside of their study, international students give back to South Australia in their free time, with 37 per cent of them volunteering in the community,” Ms Johnston said.

“Richard’s 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’s International Student of the Year Award.” 

This year, StudyAdelaide 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.