Rishi Dutta is the Director of Frontier College, a trusted Australian education provider with campuses in Cairns, Brisbane, and Hobart, committed to supporting international students in building brighter futures. 

Since beginning his journey in the education sector, Rishi has been driven by a passion for creating learning environments where students feel supported, valued, and empowered to achieve their goals. His leadership philosophy centres on inclusion, care, and transformation—ensuring education nurtures not only knowledge, but also confidence, community, and personal growth.

From 2014 to 2022, Rishi served as Owner and Director of the Victorian International Institute of Technical Education (VIITE), where he played an instrumental role in guiding international learners toward meaningful study and career pathways. He now continues this mission as CEO of Leaders Institute of Training and Education Pty Ltd, leading both institutions with a shared vision of excellence, innovation, and student success.

Under Rishi’s guidance, Frontier College and the Leaders Institute have supported thousands of students, including many international learners who have found a caring community and a true home away from home. In Cairns, Frontier College delivers vocational courses in Business and Management, Hospitality, Community Services, and Individual Support, as well as providing higher education pathways in partnership with James Cook University and Southern Cross University.

With strong international networks and deep market knowledge across India and Southeast Asia, Rishi is committed to promoting Cairns as a leading global education destination. His efforts focus on building sustainable, high-quality pathways that support student success and strengthen the region’s international education footprint.

Rishi holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Victoria University and blends innovation with empathy across all aspects of his leadership. He firmly believes education should empower students to think globally, act with purpose, and lead with compassion—shaping confident, capable graduates ready to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Taka Kasahara’s journey started from a small, rented room in Cairns CBD in 2001 to owning Sun Pacific College, a multi-campus institution which demonstrates his dedication to international education and his positive impact on the local economy. Starting with English classes for Japanese visitors, Taka grew his vision over the years and developed campuses in Kewarra Beach, Brisbane, and Nagoya, Japan.

Taka’s efforts bring significant income to Cairns, with over 1,400 international students arriving in just July and August this year. These students were housed with local families and embraced the Cairns culture. His dedication to creating a vibrant learning environment attracts students from all over, boosting the local economy and supporting Cairns as a top education destination.

Through partnerships with local Cairns schools, Taka connects students at his Nagoya campus which teaches Japanese to students from around the world, including young souls from Cairns, thus, promoting tourism and cultural exchange. His work further showcases Cairns and FNQ’s beauty to Japanese students, opening doors for more international visitors.

Agnes is the CEO of the Imperial Institute of Sydney and brings more than a decade of leadership experience across vocational education, training, and institutional development. Her role reflects a long-standing commitment to delivering inclusive, high-quality education that empowers students to succeed in Australia and globally.

Under her leadership, Imperial Institute has expanded its presence across Parramatta, Sydney CBD, Wollongong, and Cairns, offering training in high-demand industries including business, hospitality, community services, project management, construction trades, and English language programs. 

The Cairns campus has become a vibrant part of this network, contributing to the city’s growing reputation as a premier destination for international students.

Agnes has extensive experience in building strong partnerships with industry, government, and education providers, both onshore and offshore. Her collaborative approach and deep engagement with international education agents and community partners have helped create meaningful global opportunities for students.

Passionate about strengthening Cairns’ position as a thriving international education hub, Agnes believes in the power of unified regional collaboration. If elected Secretary, she aims to drive excellence in governance, communication, and stakeholder engagement—ensuring that the perspectives of students and education providers are well represented within Study Cairns.

With her strategic insight, leadership experience, and genuine belief in education as a catalyst for regional growth, Agnes is ready to contribute meaningfully to the next chapter of Study Cairns’ success.

As Executive Director of the Union Institute of Language (UIL)—a proud partner of the University of Southern Queensland—Ricky has led significant organisational growth and strengthened UIL’s reputation across Queensland, including Cairns. Under his leadership, UIL was named a Finalist in the 2025 Premier’s Export Awards and received the 2025 Judges’ Recognition Award at the Hong Kong Australia Business Awards, where it was also recognised as a Finalist in the Business Excellence Award category.

Ricky is a regular guest speaker at industry forums and international exhibitions and has represented both the international education sector and the Cairns region on numerous occasions, including in front of government leaders such as Minister Ros Bates during the recent Trade and Investment Queensland Taiwan and Japan mission.

In Cairns, Ricky oversees UIL’s expanding operations and the delivery of tailored English language, school foundation, and academic preparation programs. These programs are delivered in partnership with Cairns State High School, St Augustine’s College, CQUniversity, TAFE Queensland (Cairns Campus), and regional public schools including Smithfield State High School and Trinity Bay State High School. UIL has also held a long-standing contract with James Cook University, which the organisation is currently working to reinstate—further strengthening its role in supporting Cairns’ school foundation and academic readiness pathways.

Ricky has further elevated the region’s profile by leading multiple high-profile international agent famils from China, Asia and Latin America, as well as student edu-tourism groups, actively promoting Cairns as a premier international education destination.

Widely respected for his integrity, financial literacy, and strategic mindset, Ricky brings strengths that align strongly with the responsibilities of Treasurer. If elected, he will focus on strong governance, responsible financial stewardship, and collaborative sector-wide engagement that benefits students, education providers, and the wider Cairns business community.

Jay is the Head of LOTE/International Exchange Coordinator at St Augustine’s College. With almost 30 years of teaching and international education experience across Japan and Australia, Jay brings deep expertise in language, communication, and global student engagement. His career began during a decade living in Japan, where he studied Japanese at college, developed a strong cross cultural understanding, and established his own language school. After returning to Australia, he coordinated language programs in Central Queensland, championing a communicative and student centred approach to language teaching.

Since 2015, Jay has managed international programs at The Rockhampton School and St Augustine’s College, where he has played a leading role in promoting Queensland schools globally. He has represented the region on trade missions and international education events across Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and China, working closely with Trade and Investment Queensland and Austrade to create meaningful pathways for international students.

Jay is a strong advocate for the voice of schools within the international education sector, firmly believing that secondary schools form critical pathways into further study, training, and long-term engagement in the Cairns region. He works closely with Study Cairns, actively participating in roundtable meetings, agent familiarisation programs, and regional engagement activities to ensure the perspectives of schools are well represented.

Jay’s long-standing dedication to intercultural connection, global collaboration, and student success makes him a valuable voice on the Study Cairns Board and a strong advocate for the future of international education in Far North Queensland.

Jamie Leonard is the Chief Marketing Officer at James Cook University (JCU), where he oversees international and domestic student recruitment across JCU’s campuses in Cairns, Townsville, Singapore, and Brisbane. With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, global student recruitment, and brand leadership, Jamie brings deep strategic insight and a proven ability to elevate institutional visibility and growth across diverse markets.

Jamie’s career spans the UK, Asia, and Australia, giving him extensive cross-cultural expertise and a strong understanding of global education trends. Prior to joining JCU, he spent twelve years at Griffith University, where he led marketing, student recruitment, and brand strategy during a period of significant institutional expansion and transformation.

Jamie holds a Master of Business Administration and has completed further study in innovation and entrepreneurship as well as advanced strategic planning and implementation. His leadership style combines strategic vision with a strong commitment to collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and sustainable student growth.
With his extensive experience, international networks, and deep understanding of Queensland’s higher education landscape, Jamie brings strong strategic capability to the Study Cairns Board and its mission of strengthening Cairns’ position as a leading regional education hub.

He is a strong advocate for the higher education sector and has a deep understanding of how to effectively market the region as a premier destination for study, research, and global engagement.