Two Red River College students were honoured by the provincial government this month, picking up International Student of the Year Awards for their contributions in and out of the classroom.

Presented by the Manitoba Council for International Education and the Province’s International Education Branch, the awards recognize the contributions of international students to the Manitoba community. Each year, three students are recognized in the categories of Secondary, Post-Secondary and Language Programs.

Andy Thong Quoc Pham, recipient of this year’s award for Post-Secondary Students, has been an RRC student since 2013, completing language studies at the Language Training Centre (LTC) before enrolling in the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute downtown.

Since his arrival as a new international student from Vietnam, Andy has made a number of important leadership contributions to the RRC community, excelling in his studies, representing his class on the Student Advisory Board, and participating in RRC’s Cultural and Language Mentor Program.

Andy also completed Ally Training as part of RRC’s LGBTT* Initiative, and launched an LGBTT* and Friends Club on-campus. He is outgoing and friendly, and reaches out to support and advocate for his classmates and others. As he enters the second year of his program, Andy plans to maintain a high GPA, and run for an elected position on the RRC Students’ Association executive.

Rae Ting Ting Shi, recipient of this year’s Language Program Award, graduated from the LTC in April 2014, and is now pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education. During her time at RRC, she was proactive, organized and resourceful as she worked to improve her English skills.

Rae also contributed to the LTC community through her positive attitude, creativity and flexibility, participating in both classroom and College events, and organizing potlucks and other activities for her fellow students.

Both Andy and Rae picked up their awards — which include a monetary prize of $200 and a certificate signed by the Minister of Advanced Learning and Education — on July 14. They will also be recognized this fall at RRC’s annual Welcome Party for Immigrant and International Students.