International Education and Training - UOW Global Enterprises

Finalists

Find out about the Australian Export Award finalists across all national award categories. Be inspired by their success.

UOW Global Enterprises

Wollongong (Dharawal), New South Wales.

Australian Export Awards driving Australia’s success on the world stage

We entered the Australian Export Awards to showcase our Australian success story and highlight the strength and quality of Australian education internationally. I encourage other exporters to see the awards as a powerful way to celebrate your achievements, share your story, and connect with others who are driving Australia’s success on the world stage.

Marisa Mastroianni, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

UOW Global Enterprises: A+ for Aussie exports

Higher education is undergoing a significant shift. Globalisation and emerging technologies are reshaping how we teach, learn and engage. Institutions need to adapt and innovate to remain relevant.

The winner of the 2025 International Education and Training award category, UOW Global Enterprises (UOWGE), is uniquely positioned to take on that challenge. With a global network of campuses, this Australian education provider can deliver degrees across multiple regions.

‘We deliver Australian qualifications throughout our international footprint, expanding access to high-quality education for diverse student populations,’ says Marisa Mastroianni, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

‘Our distinctive higher education model sets us apart and demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can deliver global impact.’

Aussie education with global reach

UOWGE is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Wollongong (UOW), operating a global network of education institutions.

These include campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India and Wollongong.

Collectively, UOWGE delivers more than 200 academic, vocational, English language, and professional development programs to more than 16,000 students each year. With students from over 140 countries, UOWGE fosters a rich learning environment where diversity is embraced and celebrated.

UOWGE learns the ropes in India

UOWGE was one of the first Australian higher education institutions to establish a campus in India. This marked a significant milestone in its global expansion.

UOW India (UOWI) welcomed its pilot student cohort in November 2024. This achievement required navigating complex regulatory and legal frameworks within the Indian education sector.

Since launching its state-of-the-art campus in GIFT City, UOWI has introduced 5 postgraduate programs and hosted a series of masterclasses. UOWI plans to expand its academic offerings with the introduction of several undergraduate programs tailored to the local market.

Sights set on Saudi Arabia

Looking ahead, UOWGE plans to establish a branch campus in Saudi Arabia come 2026.

‘UOWGE was the first foreign university granted an investment licence following Saudi Arabia opening to international universities under KSA Vision 2030,’ says Mastroianni.

‘As we pursue opportunities in emerging markets, Austrade continues to open doors, provide intelligence, and connect us with the right partners at the right time. As education forms the cornerstone of Vision 2030’s national transformation, we are proud to contribute through our belief in education as a catalyst for social progress.’

Austrade expertise in local markets shores up successful entry

Austrade has been an invaluable partner in UOWGE’s international expansion.

‘Austrade’s deep expertise in local business culture and regulatory practices have been instrumental in our successful market entry and business development initiatives, particularly in Hong Kong and Malaysia,’ says Mastroianni.

‘It has provided the market intelligence, connections, and on-the-ground support that reduce the time, cost, and risk of entering new markets.’

Being the winner of the 2025 International Education and Training award means a great deal to the entire UOWGE global team. It validates our mission to deliver quality Australian education worldwide, while recognising the exceptional dedication and achievements of our staff. This award also affirms the vital role Australian higher education plays in driving export growth and transforming lives across the globe.

Australian Export Awards driving Australia’s success on the world stage

UOWGE is somewhat of an Australian Export Awards alumni. It was a national finalist in the Education and Training award category in 2015 and 2016 and won the award in 2018. More recently, UOWGE was a national finalist in the International Education and Training award category in 2022 and 2023. This year, it is the winner of the 2025 International Education and Training award category.

‘We entered the Australian Export Awards to showcase our Australian success story and highlight the strength and quality of Australian education internationally,’ says Mastroianni.

‘I encourage other exporters to see the awards as a powerful way to celebrate your achievements, share your story, and connect with others who are driving Australia’s success on the world stage.’

Face-to-face relationships rule the school

Successful exporting isn’t transactional, it’s relational. Mastroianni recommends emerging exporters invest in building genuine, face-to-face relationships before selling a single product or service.

‘Meeting partners and stakeholders in person allows you to grasp cultural nuances, local expectations, and market dynamics that research alone cannot reveal,’ she says.

‘These relationships become your foundation for navigating complex regulations and entering new markets effectively. In our experience, the strength of your relationships directly correlates with your speed to market and long-term sustainability.’

Stronger than ever in a post-pandemic world

The COVID-19 pandemic thrust UOWGE into uncharted territory. It accelerated its adoption of blended learning models, new technology platforms, and innovative teaching pedagogy.

‘We didn’t just survive COVID. We emerged stronger, more agile, and better equipped to respond to student needs and market dynamics,’ says Mastroianni.

‘Today, we deploy technology with greater speed and flexibility, continuously adapting to remain competitive in an ever-changing landscape.’

A legacy through education for all

Ultimately, UOWGE’s mission is to change lives through education.

‘Education transforms individuals and uplifts entire communities. We witness this power firsthand: in the stories shared at graduation ceremonies, in the global impact of UOW Alumni, and in every student who develops from information consumer to critical thinker,’ says Mastroianni.

‘We are committed to continuing to prepare students for an interconnected world – students who are life-ready as well as work-ready.’

Visit UOW Global Enterprises website.

(Host) Our next award category is for international education and training. This award recognizes outstanding international success in the field of education and training and includes higher education, vocational education and training, transnational education, online learning, curriculum development, and edtech. To present the award is assistant minister for inter international education the honourable Julian Hill MP. This award category is proudly sponsored by the Australian trade and investment commission.

(Voice over)

Alana K College

Alana K College offers innovative vocational training and professional development programs bridging the gap between education and industry.

Apeiro Institute

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Hex

Hex exports globally accredited innovation programs that equip emerging talent with future ready skills, crossover networks, and pathways to scalable economic impact.

Langport's English Language College

Langport's English Language College delivers English language programs to international students from over 70 countries.

UNSW CRA

UNSW CRA is a direct exporter of education and research and an essential launchpad for Australian talent and companies competing globally.

UW Global Enterprises

UW Global Enterprises delivers Australian higher education globally, showcasing the impact, quality, and reach of Australian education on the world stage.

(Julian Hill – MP) International education and training is Australia's biggest services export. It's our fourth largest export sector, supporting more than 250,000 Australia jobs. It's something that we can be incredibly proud of, but is often overlooked with the focus on other sometimes more contested sectors. But whether it's students coming, usually young people choosing to come and spend some of their time in our country, or increasingly large numbers of people who we teach across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and elsewhere. It's through a good student experience that we build our soft power.

They take a little bit of Australia home with them. We hope. Now, it's my absolute pleasure to announce that the winner of the International Education and Training Award is drum roll Global Enterprises.

(Marissa Mastriani - UOW Global Enterprises) What an incredible honour. I'd like to first start off by saying congratulations to all the finalists. Your achievements reflect the strength, quality, and diversity of Australia's international education sector. And as we heard from the assistant minister, now a 51 billion export success story. Uh we really help shape our nation's global reputation. Good evening. My name is Marissa Mastriani and I am very proud to accept this award on behalf of UOW Global Enterprises, the global arm of the University of Wollongong.

Uh we have campuses in Dubai, you saw the picture, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India and our plans are progressing and we will be opening a new campus in Saudi Arabia. We are truly taking Australian education to the world and as of currently we had 18,000 students worldwide. Our reach and our impact continue to expand. We are proud to make high quality Australian education accessible to students who might otherwise never have the chance, giving them the choice, mobility, and life-changing opportunity.

Education transforms lives. It changes not only the lives of students, their families, but also the communities they live in. So to the extraordinary change across the world that we have, thank you for your passion, your belief, your commitment to excellence. This award is yours.

I wish to acknowledge Senator the Honourable Don Farrell, Austrade and the Export Council. Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration. We are proud. We are very proud to represent Australia on the world stage. and proud to play a part in shaping a truly global education future. Thank you.

(Host) Wow. University of Wollongong. This is just extraordinary the reach that you have um internationally setting up campuses. Why do you choose where to where to set up a campus?

(Marissa Mastriani - UOW) Well, it's really quite interesting. Um we're sort of like the overnight success that first started 32 years ago. um 32 years ago there was uh they opened up the first campus in Dubai with eight students and I'm really pleased to say that as of today we have 6 and a half thousand students in our Dubai campus. Yes. So it's really uh progressive. It's really amazing. Um it's interesting part of it comes with where we don't look at markets that are emerging markets emer market markets that are really really ripe for us to bring quality Australian education and I think an example of that is our our um courage to say that we want to open a campus in Saudi um and for us we see that is really you know if you want to as there's a saying that says uh the best weapon you can have to change the world is through education. So for us that's what we see that we do every day.

(Host) Worthy winners. Congratulations UOW Global Enterprises.

International Education and Training winner – UOW Global Enterprises. For the full transcript please visit the International Education and Training Award 2025 - UOW Global Enterprises video on YouTube.

International Education and Training finalist

National category winners

Agribusiness, Food and Beverages - Marquis Macadamias

For outstanding international success in the field of manufactured foods, beverages or agricultural products.

Creative Industries - Orbitkey

For outstanding international success in any creative industry.

e-Commerce - Humanitix

For outstanding international success selling goods or services to customers overseas via e-Commerce, including cross-border e-Commerce and online sales.