A cancer research pioneer, a world decathlon champion and a mature-age student who's spent his life helping disadvantaged adults, are among the outstanding Gold Coast students recognised in the 2025 Student Excellence Awards.
More than 180 students and supporters filled HOTA's Lakeside Room on Thursday evening as winners were announced across six categories celebrating entrepreneurship, environment, community, diversity, sport and the arts.
Griffith University PhD student Muneera Anwer took out the Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation award for developing a cancer vaccine platform designed to fast-track breakthroughs from the lab into clinical care. Muneera dedicated her win to her father who sadly lost his battle with cancer.
Fellow Griffith University student Natalia Drazek won Excellence in Protecting Our Environment for leading projects that have mobilised hundreds of students and driven measurable improvements in biodiversity, waste reduction and community engagement.
Southern Cross University student Anup Adhikari, founder of music network Himalayan Harmony, received the award for Excellence in Community & Peer Support for helping international students find connection and a sense of belonging through music.
Bond University criminology student Andrew Harris was honoured with Excellence in Championing Diversity. With more than 20 years supporting people with disability and adult learners - and navigating his own cerebral palsy - Andrew has made a sustained contribution to inclusion across education and employment.
The Excellence in Promoting Sports and Wellness award went to Southern Cross University osteopathy student Benjamin Guse, recently crowned Australian Champion and FISU World University Games Champion in Men's Decathlon.
Year 10 Somerset College student Sophie Schleimer-Newman won Excellence in Fostering Creative Arts for her internationally recognised short films and passion for the arts which earned her a stint the New York Film Academy.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the calibre of this year's winners shows promise for the city's future.
"This year's Student Excellence Awards winners show we’ve got a promising generation of bright minds coming through our community," Mayor Tom Tate said.
"When our young people chase big ideas and back themselves, the whole Gold Coast benefits."
The annual Student Excellence Awards are run by Experience Gold Coast and recognise outstanding students across high school, language, vocational studies and higher education, and the positive contributions they have made within their communities.
Experience Gold Coast Executive Director Education, Matt Boyd, said this year's winners were a testament to the strength of the city's education offering.
"Each of these students is a powerful example of the calibre of talent developing right here on the Gold Coast," Mr Boyd said.
"Our city offers one of the most diverse and high-quality education ecosystems of any region our size, and it's exciting to see students not only taking advantage of those opportunities but turning them into real contributions for our community."
2025 Student Excellence Awards winners
- Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Muneera Anwer, Griffith University
- Excellence in Community and Peer Support: Anup Adhikari, Southern Cross University
- Excellence in Championing Diversity: Andrew Harris, Bond University
- Excellence in Promoting Sports and Wellness: Benjamin Guse, Southern Cross University
- Excellence in Fostering Creative Arts: Sophie Schleimer-Newman, Somerset College
- Excellence in Protecting Our Environment: Natalia Drazek, Griffith University
View all 2025 finalists HERE.
Audio and visual assets available HERE.
CONTACT
Hannah Matchett | 0466 631 416 | hannah.matchett@experiencegoldcoast.com
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.