Overseas student discount card launched

The IISAC discount card for international students was launched recently at an elegant event held at Windsor Hotel in Melbourne. “We are very happy that this major initiative is coming to fruition today and we are working on several other initiatives that will benefit Indian International students. At IISAC, we are committed to providing the best possible support for international students so they are able to reach their academic and personal development goals,” said Dr. Sangita Kalra, one of the main consultants for IISAC who conducted the proceedings.

Ms Marsha Thompson, Parliament Secretary for Justice and Member for Footscray, Mr George Lekakis, Chairman of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Ms Anita Nayar Consul General of India, Mr Max Walker My Rewards Global Ambassador, representatives from Federal and State Government departments, community members and media were also present to support the launch.

The Indian International Student Advisory Centre (IISAC) was established in March 2008 to provide advisory assistance and advocacy services to Indian students pursuing their academic career in Australia. As part of its ongoing service, IISAC helps with employment assistance, provides limited financial medical assistance, resolves academic issues with their RTOs, and resolves sub tenant issues with assistance from Victoria Police.

Said Dr. Rae Subramaniam chairperson of IISAC, “We are all aware of the challenges the Indian international students are facing in Melbourne today. While the reasons are debatable, IISAC understands these students need all forms of support to survive and reach their personal goals. IISAC would like to act as a conduit between the Government Institutions, Victoria Police, educational providers and the local community.”

The launch of the IISAC Discount Card is the first major initiative from a list of many proposed initiatives undertaken by the Centre, according to Dr Subramaniam. “We find our international students undertake huge financial commitments back home in order to pursue their academic goals in Melbourne. This results in them working long hours to pay their loans. The IISAC discount card is introduced to ease their financial difficulties, whereby students may obtain huge discounts on different consumables from more than 4000 retail outlets around Melbourne,” she claimed.

This card is available to all Indian international students at a small annual fee of $20. IISAC has tied up with My Rewards that provides member benefits to over a million members from 200 corporate organizations across Australia and New Zealand. David Vinson, Chairman of My Rewards provided more details about My Rewards and their services at the launch. The IISAC discount card is currently being promoted in all educational institutions, including the Centre’s office in Elizabeth Street.

IISAC’s new office is located on 506 Elizabeth Street. The centre is open through the day on Thursdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 12 noon. For more details, contact Rae Subramaniam on dorais@optusnet.com.au or Sangita Kalra on sangitakalra@hotmail.com