Preetham Akula, an aerospace engineering student with a passion for space and entrepreneurship, has captured the spotlight at the Victorian International Education Awards 2024, winning in the newly introduced entrepreneurship category. Akula, who is behind the innovative beverage start-up Dropout Chaiwala, is now steering his career towards the stars with Akula Tech, a company poised to launch its first satellite next year.
For Akula, this award serves as more than just a personal achievement. It represents a significant milestone in proving that international students can make substantial contributions to industries and communities outside their own. “This award is almost a proof of concept that one can achieve something big, even if they are an international student and not from the local community,” he remarked.
Akula’s path to entrepreneurship was not a direct one. Despite his primary ambition to start an aerospace defence company, he made the bold move to start a beverage business first. Dropout Chaiwala, his chai start-up, was his “training exercise,” allowing him to sharpen his business skills, make mistakes, and learn valuable lessons before venturing into the aerospace sector. “I wanted to demonstrate something in the market before I ask for a few million dollars from a venture capital fund,” he explained.
This entrepreneurial spirit is now culminating in the work at Akula Tech, his aerospace start-up, which is focused on satellite technology. The company’s first satellite is scheduled for launch in 2025, a move that would mark a significant achievement for Akula and his team. His journey is particularly inspiring for students who, like him, arrive in foreign countries to study and pursue their ambitions despite the challenges of being away from home.
Akula was not the only one recognised for his pioneering efforts. Ajmal Abdul Azees, another RMIT student, was a finalist in the research category for developing the world’s first hybrid cochlear implant. Azees, who has dedicated over three and a half years to his PhD, was visibly moved by the recognition. “It’s really good recognition. I had tears in my eyes,” he said, reflecting on the long hours and intense focus he has devoted to his work.
Azees’s breakthrough could transform the world of hearing aids, as his new hybrid cochlear implant uses light instead of electricity to stimulate the auditory nerve. This revolutionary technology, which has been in development at the Bionics Institute where Azees conducts his research, is now undergoing pre-clinical trials at St Vincent’s Hospital. Azees, who moved from Sri Lanka to study at RMIT, believes the innovation could help millions globally. “Globally, around 700 million people are deaf. [The recognition] will raise awareness of what I’m trying to do and help with my future research,” he explained.
The recognition of both Akula and Azees at the Victorian International Education Awards highlights the incredible contributions that international students are making not just to academia, but to the wider community. Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Engagement, Saskia Loer Hansen, celebrated their achievements, saying, “Our international students are a vital part of the community and bring a wealth of skills and global knowledge to the classroom, to campus life and through the relationships that remain well beyond graduation.”
Akula, who was initially drawn to RMIT for its specialised aerospace engineering program, is just one example of how international students can leverage education abroad to create opportunities that extend far beyond their studies. As Akula Tech prepares for its satellite launch in 2025, Akula’s journey from a chai entrepreneur to aerospace visionary demonstrates the power of persistence, creativity, and entrepreneurship—traits that have clearly paid off.
Meanwhile, Azees’s work is providing a glimpse into a future where advanced medical technologies could restore hearing in ways previously unimagined. The impact of his research could reverberate through the medical community, potentially offering hope to millions of people who suffer from hearing loss. His hybrid cochlear implant marks a significant departure from the traditional devices that have remained largely unchanged since the late 1970s, offering a new approach using light to restore hearing more naturally.
The 2024 Victorian International Education Awards not only celebrated individual achievement but also underscored the broader impact that international students have on Victoria’s research and business ecosystems. Both Akula and Azees exemplify the potential for international students to become leaders and innovators in their fields, while also making significant contributions to the local community.
For Akula, the award is a testament to the fact that with determination and hard work, international students can break new ground in areas that may seem far removed from their origins. “This award is almost a proof of concept that one can achieve something big,” he said, highlighting the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and seizing opportunities, no matter how daunting they may seem.
As they both continue their journeys, Akula with his satellite launch and Azees with his groundbreaking medical device, their stories will likely inspire many more students to dream big and push the boundaries of what is possible. Whether in the skies above or in the medical labs below, their contributions stand as proof that international students are not just participating in Australia’s educational landscape—they are shaping its future.
