Our Sponsors
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible sponsors and partners. Together, we've forged connections across the globe, enhancing the international student experience. and inspiring students to become change agents both here and in their home countries.
Get to Know their Forte
Study Melbourne - Future Forte Primary Presenting Partner
Study Melbourne is a Victorian Government initiative providing support and information to this community of international students, helping them have the best possible time while studying and living in Victoria. Study Melbourne offers international students free and confidential support services, cultural experiences, social events, and employability programs that enable them to thrive during their studies.
The award-winning Study Melbourne Student Centre is the first of its kind in Australia. International students can access free support and information throughout their study journey. Study Melbourne also offers a network of offshore study hubs to support offshore international students (current, future and alumni) studying or looking to study with a Victorian education provider.
U.S. Consulate General Melbourne - Future Forte Platinum Sponsor
The U.S. Consulate General Melbourne's district is one of the largest in the world, covering 1,037,000 square miles, including Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.
Consul General Kathleen Lively is a career American diplomat currently serving in Melbourne. Ms. Lively was the Minister Counselor for Management Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya from 2019 – 2021. Prior to that, she served three years as the Dean of the Foreign Service Institute’s School of Applied Information Technology. Ms. Lively has also represented the United States in Romania, The United Kingdom, Japan, Poland and Afghanistan. Ms. Lively is a Washington D.C. native. She holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Public Policy from the University of Chicago as well as a Master of Science degree in Resourcing National Security from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington D.C.
Alongside the Consulate’s work in Consular, Political and Economic areas, the Public Affairs Section connects with Australian communities to collaborate on issues of bilateral importance including the U.S.-Australia alliance, our economic partnership, climate change, and a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Melbourne Consulate is also home to an EducationUSA office providing services to local students, parents, and educators as well as U.S. higher education contacts through a range of programming, including general and specialized information sessions, career fairs, one-on-one meetings, and pre-departure briefings.
The office of the United States Ambassador to Australia is currently held by Caroline Kennedy, appointed with effect from July 25, 2022.
Victoria University - Future Forte Gold Sponsor & Presenting Partner
Victoria University, granted university status in 1991, has roots dating back to 1916 through its predecessor institutions. It stands out as one of Australia's select few dual-sector universities, offering both higher education and vocational education and training opportunities. With a student body exceeding 40,000, VU operates vibrant campuses where diverse learners pursue their academic and professional goals.
VU has earned impressive rankings, placing it among the top 3% of universities globally according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. In 2019 THE Young University Rankings, VU secured an impressive 45th position among universities under 50 years old.
CQUniversity - Future Forte Gold Sponsor & Empower Program Partner
Originally founded in Rockhampton in 1967, as the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) Capricornia, CQUniversity Australia was granted full University status in 1992 and now has more than 30 000 students studying online and on-campus across Australia.
CQUniversity is proud to be recognised as Australia's most inclusive university with some of the highest ratios of students from disadvantaged, mature age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and first-in-family backgrounds.
It is this strong focus on participation and accessibility, that has seen CQUniversity firmly establish itself as one of the largest universities based in regional Australia. CQU is Queensland's only dual sector university and is also a pioneer in the delivery of distance and online education.
After more than half a century working with stakeholders in regional Australia, CQUniversity is now a renowned research institution in several key disciplines and the benchmark leader for how universities should engage and collaborate with communities and industry. It is also recognised by Social Traders as Australia's only certified social enterprise university.
City of Melbourne - Future Forte Silver Sponsor
Melbourne City Council is the local government body responsible for the municipality of Melbourne. The Council consists of a lord mayor, a deputy lord mayor, and nine councilors.
Elected by the community, the Council is the decision-making body that sets the strategic direction and policy of the municipality. It delivers the four-year Council Plan, which sets out what the Council will achieve during its four-year term to further the community vision; and the Annual Plan and Budget.
Guidian Australia - Future Forte Silver Sponsor & Presenting Partner
Found by two former international students, Guidian Australia helps international students develop professional skills and increase employability through workshops, projects and potential internship opportunities. Providing a platform to help international students with their great potential, Guidian Australia aims to provide opportunities to increase international students’ employability and professional skills through workshops, projects and potential internship opportunities.
MindTribes - Future Forte Session Partner
MINDTRIBES are innovators for inclusion, creating systemic change within organisations and communities to solve inequity and to support the individuals within to succeed, building shared prosperity and a more equitable and kinder world.
MINDTRIBES works to improve psychological safety, address inequity and embed inclusion. MINDTRIBES do this by partnering with clients, institutions, policy makers, state and federal governments, and research bodies to make a positive change to structures and systems that exclude and harm people at work.
MINDTRIBES are the experts on intersectionality and are specialists in race, ethnicity, gender and life stages. Their work is backed by organisation and clinical psychology, business evaluation, strategy and change management experience.
The State Library of Victoria - Future Forte Venue Partner
The State Library Victoria, located in Melbourne, Australia, stands as a prestigious cultural institution and a beacon of knowledge. With its historic foundation dating back to 1854, the library holds a vast collection of over 2 million books and a diverse range of materials, serving as a reservoir of information, creativity, and heritage. Its majestic architecture and modern facilities provide a conducive environment for research, learning, and exploration, attracting scholars, students, and curious minds alike.
As a hub for exhibitions, events, and community engagement, the State Library Victoria continues to foster intellectual growth and preserve the rich tapestry of Victoria's history and culture.
Eloments Tea - Future Forte In-kind Sponsor
Eloments Organic Vitamin tea was created and founded by Nicole Lamond and Julie Hirsch from a desire to create an enjoyable way to boost your nutrient intake everyday. At Universal Village, the belief is that the best things in life are free and the rest should be fairly traded. Universal Village is excited to join other Fair Trade organisations around the world for a fairer, more connected and cooperative way of doing business.
Universal Village is the home of Qi Tea Australia, available in independent retailers across AU as well as Homegoods in the USA, and Eloments Vitamin Tea, available in Woolworths AU and Holland & Barrett UK.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Future Forte Promotional Partner
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest and most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 65,000 members, customers and clients across the state. Founded in 1851 with the aim to make Melbourne one of the world’s great free ports, today we continue leading business into the future through advocacy, leadership and services focused on innovation and growth.
The membership base is diverse, with involvement from all levels and sectors of industry including: business services, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, tourism and emerging sectors.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is involved in every facet of industry and commerce across the State, and our role is to represent the interests of business at a State level as well as nationally. It acts as a sounding board for government decision-making and as an instrument of advocacy.
Their focus is clear – to lead business into the future. They help extend the reach of your expertise, actively represent the needs of employers in a complex regulatory climate, and provide real business value.
The Pie News - Future Forte Promotional Partner
The flagship website, The PIE News, is a widely read and highly trusted source of news and business intelligence about the global international education industry.
The Pie’s readership and client base includes people working for educational institutions, education agents, service providers and government bodies.
At educator level, The Pie’s readers include business leaders and owners, directors, sales and marketing, recruitment and admissions staff working at higher education institutions, language schools, international schools and boarding schools.
Insider Guides - Future Forte Promotional Partner
Insider Guides and Insider Studios are a leading media company focused on equipping new international students with the information and tools to create a life in Australia. It is done through the channel, Insider Guides, and the agency arm, Insider Studios.
With a range of government, private and public company partnerships, they focus on creating innovative multimedia and real stories that have facilitated their growth for over 15 years.
Insider Guides has been commended as Best Practice examples of empowering international students & promoting intercultural engagement by the Australian Commission of Human Rights and was recognised as Best Practice in 2019 by the International Education Association of Australia.
The Huddle - Future Forte Volunteering Partner
The Huddle was established in 2010 as the community arm of the North Melbourne Football Club in partnership with the Scanlon Foundation and the Australian Multicultural Foundation.
It was established to engage, support and empower young people to build on their strengths, increase their ability to participate in society and contribute to more socially inclusive communities.
Since its inception, over 100,000 young people from across Australia have engaged with The Huddle's programs. The programs span across sport and recreation, education and careers, social inclusion, digital skills and civic participation. The Huddle aims to provide young people with programs that will help them learn, grow and belong.
Scanlon Foundation - Future Forte Advisory Partner
The Scanlon Institute for Applied Social Cohesion Research exists as a bridge between academic insight and public thought, to support the advancement of Australia as a welcoming, prosperous and cohesive nation.
The body is an initiative of the Scanlon Foundation and furthers its belief that Australia’s future prosperity, underpinned by continued population growth, will depend on our ability to maintain, foster and support social cohesion in our communities amidst ever-growing cultural diversity.
The Institute is a virtual organisation that unites Australia’s leading thinkers on immigration to produce a bi-annual journal highlighting important lessons from recent findings and exploring how they can be practically applied.