Holmesglen student honoured with Victoria International Student of the Year award

Holmesglen student, Freddy Mata Mendoza was presented with the 'International Student of the Year – Vocational Education and Training (VET)' honour at the 2016 Victorian International Education Awards ceremony, which was held at Government House, Melbourne.

Currently studying Holmesglen's Diploma of Furniture Design and Technology, Freddy came to Melbourne from Venezuela where he previously received a degree in architecture from the Universidad Rafael Urdaneta.

"It's invaluable recognition [coming from] the state of Victoria. Coming to Holmesglen has been a complete experience; from the classroom to exhibitions, and from volunteering to working in the industry," Freddy said.

Freddy first completed a Certificate III in Cabinet Making and a Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology at Holmesglen before enrolling into the diploma program. Freddy cites this pathway approach, along with Holmesglen's on-campus support network, as the reason for his learning success and academic awards.

Freddy's achievements have extended beyond Holmesglen, winning the People's Choice prize at the Australian Contemporary Emerging Design Awards and his designs featured as part of the Australian Pavilion at China's International Furniture Fair in Shanghai this September.

"For me, my teachers, Chris Beck and Mark Smith, are more than teachers, they are the team helping me with solutions to the crazy design ideas that I come up with sometimes. The environment in the workshop, the relationship between students, and with teachers as well, is really productive and peaceful, and that makes a happy student become a successful student," Freddy said.

Freddy was also the recipient of the Outstanding Certificate Student honour at the 2016 Holmesglen Awards.

Holmesglen congratulates Freddy on his creativity and commitment to his passion. We wish him every success in his future studies and career.