The Australian Technology Network of Universities has launched its ATN25 Global Graduates series, From Australian Campuses to Global Careers – featuring the stories of six international student alumni from across its member universities.

The campaign sees graduates sharing their experiences of studying in Australia and how their education at ATN member universities has helped to propel them into entrepreneurial careers in diverse fields such as telecommunications, sustainability and medicine.

Commenting on the campaign, ATNUniversities executive director, Ant Bagshaw, said international students make an immeasurable contribution to Australian society and are a vital part of university communities.

“International students bring their talents and knowledge with them, and share their culture and perspectives with fellow students,” said Bagshaw.

“The impact they make doesn’t stop at graduation. This series of stories will spotlight some of the very impressive accomplishments they’ve gone on to achieve after earning their qualifications.

“Whether they stay in Australia or head back home, they maintain friendships and take a bit of Australia with them, wherever they go. ATNUniversities is proud to celebrate these examples of the enduring links our graduates have forged in and with this country.”

Madhavi Shankar is one graduate featured in the campaign. Originally from Bengalaru, India, Shankar moved to Australia to study a master of business administration and a master of engineering management at the University of Technology Sydney between 2012 and 2017.

Alongside her studies, she worked for an early stage start-up, which later inspired her to start her own back home in India.

Now, Shankar is the co-founder and CEO of SpaceBasic. The company’s suite of products now automates many of the workflows that universities use to manage student life – from campus accommodation to student catering, IDs and payments. The data is provided back to universities allowing them to optimise their operations.

SpaceBasic has over 100,000 daily users, and 1% of its profits goes back into initiatives to educate women.

The featured alumni, at different stages of their successful careers, emphasised how an Australian education has been instrumental in advancing their professional journeys, equipping them with lifelong skills and relationships that continue to foster their growth. Many choose to give back to prospective students, spreading the word about Australia’s offering.

We should be very proud that Australian education helps to build such enduring relationships with the rest of the world

Shilpa Pullela, ATNUniversities

“This series is a great reminder that international students don’t just contribute while they’re studying in Australia,” Shilpa Pullela, director of international policy, ATNUniversities, told The PIE News.

“If they have a good experience, they become lifelong ambassadors for our universities and our country, no matter where their careers may take them. We should be very proud that Australian education helps to build such enduring relationships with the rest of the world.”