VietNamNet Bridge - A university student from Vietnam now studying in Brisbane, Australia, has been honoured by the city's mayor in his adopted home.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced 24-year-old Nguyen Duy Hoang as one of the 2014 Brisbane International Student Ambassadors.

“We now have 36 enthusiastic new advocates from 34 countries, including 14 G20 members. They will use social media to spread the word on why Brisbane is increasingly the city of choice for international students,” said Cr Quirk at the City Hall ceremony last month.

“These appointments bring the total number of student ambassadors appointed since the Brisbane Marketing-led program began in 2009 to 158.

“Their role will see them enjoy many quintessential Brisbane experiences as well as volunteer at multicultural events, and assist with the hosting of official visiting delegations, particularly from Brisbane’s Sister Cities.

“The 2013 student ambassadors attended high profile events like the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and their combined social media reach exceeded 25,000 worldwide.

“With the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane in November, the role of the 2014 ambassadors will be even more important in providing an insight about life in Australia’s new world city to visiting media.”

Cr Quirk said Brisbane’s 75,000-plus international student enrolments were drawn to the city’s world-class educational facilities but are also attracted by its friendly multicultural population mix, strong economy, affordability, lifestyle, beautiful weather and efficient transport system.

Duy Hoang is from Ho Chi Minh City and is studying Master of Business (Advanced) in Marketing at the University of Queensland.

“Brisbane has a subtropical climate which is very similar to Vietnam which is the first reason I chose to study here. Brisbane has many world-class universities and is a vibrant but very laid-back city for students to live and study. It has a diverse culture and is very environment friendly,” Hoang said.

“Being a Brisbane International Student Ambassador will bring me closer to Australian and Brissy life. I am experiencing a new culture and learning many new things.

“As an ambassador I also represent Vietnam in Brisbane and am able to introduce Vietnamese culture to friends from other countries.”

Cr Quirk said the honorary appointments were for one year.

“International students add so much to Brisbane; creating a cosmopolitan and vibrant city which makes it all the more inviting for other students as well as tourists, business investors and delegates to events like the G20 Leaders Summit,” Cr Quirk said.

The student ambassador program was established by Brisbane Marketing’s Study Brisbane (www.studybrisbane.com) program in 2009 and is open to both domestic and international students in Brisbane.

PV