The International Student Opportunity – Building the Perth of tomorrow

Learn more about the importance of our international student community at the first Committee for Perth event for 2024 on Tuesday, 20 February.

Our Future Ready Forum: The International Student Opportunity – Building the Perth of tomorrow will be held on the rooftop of The Switch accommodation hub, with 360-degree views of the CBD.

An exciting new development in the Perth CBD, The Switch is a high-rise, co-living space created from the shell of a Wellington St heritage building.

It’s also providing accommodation for some of the tens of thousands of international students who call Western Australia home. Not only do international students add vibrancy and diversity to our community, they are also a crucial workforce for our organisations today – and for tomorrow.

A panel will share insights on the importance of international students to the CBD and Perth’s future workforce, including:

• Derryn Belford, CEO of StudyPerth
• Tom Hodgkins, Partner at Deloitte Private
• Pritish Sanghadia, Project Support Officer at the Economic Regulation Authority
• Wenny Kurniaty, Senior Analyst at Deloitte Private Tax and Advisory

Committee for Perth’s Future Ready Forums explore tomorrow’s opportunities. Featuring future-focused leaders, the events bring together members and special guests to make connections, share insights and discuss important issues.

Event photos

Our speakers & panellists

Derryn Belford
CEO, Study Perth

Derryn is the Chief Executive Officer at StudyPerth – Western Australia’s leading organisation dedicated to building and promoting the value of international education in WA, positioning Perth as an internationally recognised study destination and supporting international students connect with Perth’s best education, life and work experiences.

Derryn has more than 25 years’ experience in research and strategy, marketing and sector development, including most recently at Tourism WA, where she was Executive Director Destination Development and then Acting Managing Director.

Prior to joining StudyPerth, she was also Project Director at the Department of Jobs, Science, Tourism and Innovation. Derryn is passionate about international education, the sustainable growth of the State and the mutual benefits that a thriving sector provides to both overseas students and WA. And, while the global pandemic has significantly impacted the education sector it has also highlighted the critical role of international students in terms of helping to fill the State’s workforce short-fall and enabling education institutions to offer better study opportunities for all students.

Derryn has a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of WA, and an MBA (Marketing) from Edith Cowan University. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Derryn is currently on the Gravity Discovery Centre Board, and was previously Deputy Chair of All Saints College, and the Swan Bells Foundation.

Tom Hodgkins
Partner, Deloitte Private

Tom has over 18 years experience specialising in the delivery of tailored solutions and advice to growing and established private family enterprises, including accounting and tax compliance services, tax consulting advice and business advisory services.

Tom has worked in the Deloitte Growth Solutions practice in Melbourne, Private Client Services with Deloitte Canadian Firm and is currently a Partner in the Deloitte Private practice in Perth.

Pritish Sanghadia
Project Support Officer, Economic Regulation Authority

Pritish Sanghadia studied a Master of Business Information and Logistics Management at the University of Western Australia where he now works as a Project Support Officer for the State Government.

Wenny Kurniaty
Senior Analyst, Deloitte Private Tax and Advisory

Wenny completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) from The University of Western Australia in 2018. She is currently a Senior Analyst, Deloitte Private Tax and Advisory in Thomas Hodgkins team.