Big day for graduates

UTAS STUDENTS HAVE PLENTY TO CELEBRATE

AS UNIVERSITY of Tasmania students celebrate their graduation, one young achiever is particularly excited to don her gown and cap, after she was awarded international student of the year.

Sri Lankan student Aloka Sathyangi Senadeera will graduate on Friday after studying a bachelor of business, majoring in accounting and finance.

“It’s been a great experience and looking back at the person I came here as, as a 17-year-old in 2020, I know I’ve grown and I’m quite proud of myself,” Ms Senadeera said.

Ms Senadeera has been busy over the past few years, with involvements in several groups and societies, including the Sri Lankan Student Association, the Tasmanian University Student Association and the Business and Economics Society.

In February, she’ll join Hydro Tasmania as a graduate commercial analyst.

“I wouldn’t say it was completely easy, but everything I had done throughout uni, my involvement in clubs and societies, it definitely helped me land a graduate position,” she said.

Ms Senadeera said she was proud to be named Study Tasmania’s international student of the year.

“It’s huge to receive that recognition,” she said.

The young graduate is also excited to have her parents joining her for graduation from Sri Lanka.

“They came here back in 2020 to drop me before I started,” Ms Senadeera said.

“Because of Covid they couldn’t come and visit me, but they’re finally here for graduation,” she said.

“Back in Sri Lanka, my parents were always there to do the cooking, laundry, drop me to my classes, once I came here I had to be independent and do everything on my own,” Ms Senadeera said.

Thushari Senadeera remembered dropping off her daughter in 2020.

“She was just 17, four of us came and three of us went back, to leave her behind it was a bit tough,” Mrs Senadeera said. “We’re very proud.”

Father Sakvithi Senadeera said he was excited to watch his daughter graduate.

“Since we came and dropped her we didn’t have the chance of coming here again,” he said. “We’re here after close to three years.

“We hope she will do good in future.”

Ivory McConachy is another young woman happy to graduate. Ms McConachy who hails from Rosebery said she completed her Diploma of Ageing Studies and Services, overcoming many challenges and barriers with the support of the West Coast Study Hub team, UTAS and her grandfather.

Next year, she is relocating to Hobart to continue her studies and is enrolled in a Bachelor of Ageing Studies and Services/Bachelor of Dementia Care.

Due to weather, Hobart’s Town and Gown, planned for Friday, has been cancelled.

“In typical Hobart style, summer hasn’t arrived and with the rain here to stay; we’ve made the decision to cancel Town and Gown,” a university spokesman said.