Student leaders advocate to connect, and thrive beyond borders
Choosing to study in Australia meant leaping outside the comfort zone for CQUniversity students Sandali Marasinghe and Sahisa Sunuwar.
Now the enthusiastic young women are seizing every opportunity to grow careers and experiences in their new home – and to help other international students get comfortable and connected too.
Both elected CQU Student Representative Council (SRC) members, Sandali and Sahisa recently attended the 2025 Future Forte conference, amongst a cohort of 20 CQU students. The theme of this year’s conference was “thrive beyond borders.”
CQUniversity is a sponsoring partner of the annual Melbourne gathering, alongside RMIT, Study Melbourne and City of Melbourne.
Founded by and for international students and alumni, Future Forte aims to inspire and empower young women studying in Australia – and CQUniversity students are leading the way with initiatives to foster community.
Sahisa Sunuwar left her home in Nepal at just 18, to begin her Bachelor of Information Technology at CQUniversity Sydney.
Aspiring to a career in cybersecurity, she formed a computer club on campus, CQU Initiation Innovation, and quickly found more opportunities to bring students together – even expanding the club to regional campuses in Rockhampton and Bundaberg.
“Attending market stalls to promote the club, I met so many new students who came with new hope and enthusiasm, to take new opportunities in a foreign land, and to connect with Australian students too,” she explained.
“Having new ways to connect means so much to international students, and that’s what led me to join the SRC, and advocate for all of us.”
At CQUniversity Melbourne, Sandali moved from Sri Lanka for her Master of Laboratory Medicine, and first began making friends through CQU’s Academic Learning Centre, a free student support service.
Overcoming challenges to find employment, and to resolve a mistake in fee payment processes, Sandali sought help from other students and support services – and discovered her own talent for helping.
“Working in a laboratory is my passion since high school, and it’s exciting to be in a new country, learning for this career,” she said.
“But just as important, is making new friends, and building a network here – and I’m excited about the opportunities to share these experiences, and all help each other.”
CQUniversity is home to more than 5000 international students across its Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane campuses, and offers a wide variety of opportunities for leadership and community-building.
The 2025 Future Forte Conference had more than 200 attendees from universities across Melbourne, and key themes included the importance of building genuine connections and recognising international students as diverse individuals with distinct identities, rather than a homogenous group.
Deputy Director for International Student Experience Will Alderton said international students are also engaged with co-designing CQU support systems to boost retention, wellbeing, and employment opportunities.
“Every student deserves to thrive at university, and CQU is taking every opportunity to improve the sense of belonging, particularly for international students – whether that’s supporting them to attend the Future Forte conference, or a connection to the right student support service, or make new friends over a free pizza lunch!” he said.
“Our SRC leaders are a great example of elevating the voice of international students in our university communities, and in the wider community too.”
