A QUT law student who devotes herself to helping refugees in her spare time and is driven by a strong sense of social justice has won QUT's top student leadership award for 2010.
Arlou Arteta, 22, of Chermside, was named QUT Alumni's Student Leader of the Year during a ceremony at the Gardens Point campus in Brisbane this month.
Arlou is in her fifth year of a double degree in arts and law at QUT, where she has excelled academically, represented students on several QUT boards, and contributed to policy changes that benefit students.
Away from campus, she dedicates her time to working as a volunteer caseworker with the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, where she assists clients with migration law issues.
Arlou's interest in human rights and international relations has also seen her represent QUT and Australia at student conferences modelled on the United Nations, including the Global Model United Nations Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, last year.
"My experience as a volunteer caseworker has fuelled my desire to practise law, as I have seen how practitioners can change people's lives through helping refugees, one of the most disadvantaged groups in society," Arlou said.
"My ultimate goal would be to have an extensive law career, working in the fields of immigration, industrial relations and human rights."
Coming from a migrant background, Arlou has an appreciation of the difficulties that often face migrants, and how lucky most Australians are, compared to people in many other nations.
"I was born in the Philippines where poverty is a daily reality for many people, so from a very young age I was aware of the hardships faced by people from disadvantaged backgrounds which helped grow my strong passion for social justice," she said.
"I always knew that I wanted to make a difference in people's lives."
The QUT Alumni Student Leadership Awards are an initiative of QUT Alumni - the university's graduate organisation.
The next event on QUT Alumni calendar is the annual QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards, which will be held on July 28 to recognise top graduates and their achievements in industry and the community.
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, 07 3138 2130 or ml.mcmahon@qut.edu.au
