Young Alumni

Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Young Alumni

This award recognises extraordinary achievements of our new graduates. Nominees must be under the age of 35.

Winner

Winner: Dr Sena Semsak
Career: Head of Policy Unit and Personal Assistant to the Prime Minister,  Council of the Prime Minister of Cambodia
Course: Master of Commerce (Finance), 2017

His Excellency Dr Sena Semsak is Head of Policy Unit and Personal Assistant to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, playing a central role in the national taskforce leading education reform. Since graduating with a Master of Commerce (Finance) in 2018, Sena has risen rapidly through the ranks of government. He became the youngest person in Cambodian history to be appointed Advisor to the Royal Government—equivalent to Secretary of State—at just 28 years old.

Sena is a recipient of the Royal Order Medal, Cambodia’s highest civilian honour, recognising his outstanding service and impact. In 2025, he was appointed Honorary Academic Counselor and Country Consultant at the Asia-Arab Education & Leadership Summit in Dubai.

Beyond government, Sena is deeply committed to community development and wellbeing and is widely respected for his integrity, humility and passion for lifting others. As Secretary General of the Charles Sturt University – Alumni Cambodia Association, he has led initiatives providing scholarships, rebuilding schools and hospitals, improving access to COVID-19 vaccinations, and organising blood donations and tree plantings. He has also founded and led student support clubs, helped raise funds for underprivileged students, and regularly mentors young Cambodians.

Read more.

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Highly Commended

Winner: Dilan Jayasekara
Career: Associate Manager, Consultant (Data Analytics) at Pitcher Partners
Course: Master of Information Technology (Software Design and Development)

A dedicated early career ICT professional, Dilan Jayasekara joined Pitcher Partners in Melbourne in 2019 and is currently Assistant Manager – Data Engineering. He holds a Master of Information Technology from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science from the University College of Dublin.

Dilan joined ACS (Australian Computing Society) in January 2022 and is the Victorian Branch Executive Committee’s youngest member. He served two years as Vice Chair of ACS’s Emerging Professionals Committee, spearheading key initiatives and programs designed to equip students with career-boosting skills and connections. Now Chair of ASC’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Special Interest Group, he works with education, industry and government to address critical skills gaps between graduates and industry needs.

Dilan Jayasekara

Winner: Evangeline (Evie) Jay
Career: Southern NSW Territory Manager, Hygain Feeds
Course: Bachelor of Equine Science (with specialisation)

Ms Evie Jay is the Southern NSW Territory Manager for Hygain Feeds. This was a highly competitive position which she secured after proving herself in the equine industry.

After graduating Evie started work as a full-time stud hand at Twin Hills Thoroughbred stud. In 2021 Evie started her role as program facilitator for the Wagga Riding for the Disabled Centre (RDA). Whilst working full time at the RDA Evie gained the necessary requirements to become coach before becoming the coach coordinator in 2023. Whilst working at RDA Evie completed a Certificate IV in Business. As her working career encompassed many different types of horses, Evie’s passion for tailoring equine nutrition expanded. Evie started stocking and marketing nutritional feeds and supplements, expanding her equine nutrition knowledge base. In 2023 Evie was appointed the position of Hygain Territory Manager for Southern NSW.

Evie has demonstrated how small scientifically informed, evidence-based changes in practice can result in meaningful, sustained improvements.

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Evie-Jay

This award recognises young alumni (under the age of 35) who are having an impact and inspiring others through their professional achievements or service to community.

Other criteria

  1. Applicants must be 35 years or younger in the year of the award.
  2. Alumni (local on international) who demonstrate:
    1. exceptional success in their chosen industry or field; and/or
    2. the significant positive impact they have had on their community.
  3. Alumni who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all of the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.

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