From Melbourne to Manhattan: Monash trio take bold ideas to the Big Apple

17 June 2025

Raheel Bostan, Joel Benny and Nicholas Dimetriou-Dickson.

Joel Benny, Raheel Bostan and Nicholas Dimetriou-Dickson will swap lecture halls for boardrooms and campus cafés for the streets of Manhattan next month.

The trio are among just 10 undergraduates selected for Monash University’s 2025 Global Discovery Program.

The immersive, 10-day experience connects students with trailblazing alumni and business leaders in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Now in its 11th year, the program gives students a front-row seat to global innovation and the chance to explore how bold thinking can drive meaningful change.

Coding a kinder future

Joel Benny wants to help small charities do more with less - and he believes artificial intelligence (AI) could be the key.

While working with several charities through 180 Degrees Consulting, he saw firsthand how smaller not-for-profits face structural challenges that limit their growth and reach.

“Unlike larger institutions, these charities often face significant funding constraints, which pose barriers to scaling their operations and increasing their social impact,” he said.

“Enabling the transition into AI for the not-for-profit sector - especially for smaller charities - is the next step for greater scale and impact.”

The Bachelor of Commerce and Finance student hopes the Global Discovery Program will help sharpen his approach.

“Learning how these leaders leverage AI in their operations can serve as a valuable foundation for developing tools and strategies better suited to the unique needs of smaller charities.”

Banking on big ideas

Bachelor of Laws and Commerce student Raheel Bostan is reimagining how young people access opportunity and support.

At the heart of his idea is a self-sustaining intergenerational investment bank where young innovators receive funding and guidance then pledge a portion of their future success to support the next generation.

The idea draws on his own experience.

Growing up as a refugee, Mr Bostan experienced the barriers that come with uneven access to opportunity. Later, while mentoring students at Monash, he discovered the importance of timely support.

“Brilliant ideas are lost daily because potential goes unrecognised,” he said.

“This bank would break that cycle, unlocking innovations to tackle global challenges like climate change, inequality and education.”

He’s heading to New York keen to learn how global investors balance purpose with performance.

“I expect the trip to leave me with tested frameworks, potential partners, and a clearer picture of the milestones that move the concept from plan to practice.”

Class act

Teacher shortages are more than a statistic to Nicholas Dimetriou-Dickson - they represent a crisis threatening the future of thousands of students.

“Across Australia, there is a predicted shortfall of 4339 secondary school teachers in 2025, and in Victoria alone, this is expected to reach over 5000 by 2028,” he said.

“Student outcomes are severely impacted by the lack of teaching staff or the burnout of existing staff.”

His drive for reform has already taken him from the Model United Nations to the Victorian Parliamentary Internship Program, where he examined how staff shortages shape student outcomes - especially for those in vulnerable, rural or culturally diverse communities.

Now, the Bachelor of Commerce and Arts student is looking to explore international strategies and solutions.

“This will be an opportunity to broaden my perspective and better understand challenges in different jurisdictions.”

Learn more about Monash University’s Global Discovery Program.

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