A 21-year-old Vietnamese student who was brought to Australia for a surgery eight years ago has been named the international student of the year by the state of Queensland.

K’Chin, who is currently studying at the St James College, has also been nominated for school captain.

Born in the central highlands province of Lam Dong, K’Chin sustained a critical injury to his right leg when he was nearly one month old.

Living as a disabled person until he was 13 years old, the boy was then brought to Australia for treatment by the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children. There he underwent 16 major operations and returned to Vietnam four years later.

However, due to complications, K’Chin had to return to Australia. Since then, he has lived and studied in Queensland.