Kaushaliya Vaghela MP at the RMIT with staff & students.
By SAT News Desk
MELBOURNE, 4 May 2020: International students and their leaders from across the board in Victoria, have while welcoming the Victoria Government’s $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund to beat the Corona crisis, hailed Kaushaliya Vaghela MP’s advocacy of the same in the Parliament through her Members Statement* on 23 April 2020. International students will receive a one relief payment, which covers demonstrated lost income up to $1,100.
Victoria University Labor Club VP, Katherine Abourizk says, “At Victoria University, we are seeing how hard the impacts of COVID-19 are hitting our students, and particularly our international students. Times like this show that we are all in this together, and with the true support of our Victorian MP Kaushaliya Vaghela, our international students are now eligible for a $45-million-dollar relief package. The impact this will have on our international students’ community is immense and allows our fellow students to continue their studies, pay their rent, and put food on the table. We are all in this together, and together our communities can come through this pandemic!”
La Trobe University Labor Club President, Finn Cosolo is of the opinion, “At La Trobe, the COVID-19 pandemic has struck students hard, particularly the international student community. Due to visa restrictions, they are one of the most vulnerable groups, particularly regarding job security and academic performance. Victorian MP Kaushaliya Vaghela’s long-standing commitment and advocacy in this area were integral to the announcement of $45 million for these students. This package aims to relieve the financial burden faced by our international students, allowing them to continue their studies and contribute crucially to the La Trobe community.”
“On behalf of the International Students Community, I would like to recognize, appreciate and thank Kaushaliya Vaghela for her efforts to address the issues of international students during these unprecedented times. We value the example you impart in the society through your compassion and positive influence,” says Roja Mudundi, Women’s Officer of La Trobe Student Union.
RMIT student leader Anand Singh says, “As an international student, I understand and empathize with the hardships and struggles of other international students here. It gives me immense joy to congratulate the fellow international students on this grant of relief by the Victorian Government when it was least expected. I would like to thank Kaushaliya Vaghela MP, former international student and state MP of Victoria, for her great efforts in making this possible for us. We need more leaders like you. I am extremely inspired by you every day. I am proud of this visionary and empathetic government who is working each day to help us in these difficult times.”
“I am dedicated to work towards and support the community of international students, being one myself, especially in these tough times. I am proud to recognize and appreciate the persistent efforts of Kaushaliya Vaghela MP and her team in raising concerns of financial support for the international students and achieving the same with the support of the Victorian Government. Thank you Kaushaliya Vaghela MP for the continuous advocacy of this relief fund for international students, NUS delegate Vibhor Bangwal told SAT.
* https://beta.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-debates/Hansard/HANSARD-974425065-6506/
