Refugee named among Kangan Institute’s top students

Raad Amer Asho. (Shawn Smits)

By Laura Michell

A Kangan Institute student who arrived in Australia as a refugee two years ago has been named as the TAFE’s top commercial and industrial student.

Raad Amer Asho won the Gold Medallion for Construction and Industrial at Kangan Institute’s recent graduation awards ceremony.

The Dallas resident completed a certificate II in plumbing.

Mr Asho moved to Melbourne from Iraq as a refugee two years ago.

He completed English studies at the Kangan Broadmeadows campus before studying plumbing. He is working casually as a plumber.

Mr Asho’s teachers described him as a pro-active and natural leader who would never hesitate to lend a hand to his classmates.

Craigieburn’s Elham Batrus Ayshoa was also recognised at the awards, winning the Gold Medallion for Foundations and Pathways for her studies in certificate IV in spoken and written English.

Ms Ayshoa is working towards a medical degree.

Kangan Institute interim chief executive Phill Murphy said the awards recognised top students.

“Their achievements highlight the significance of vocational education and training in transforming lives, shaping communities and providing value to industry,” he said.