Dr Fanam, his wife Rebecca, and their three children Eyiram, Kafui and Nutifafa were among the 15 West Tamar residents conferred with Australian citizenship at the Windsor Community Centre at Riverside on Australia Day.

These included people from Tanzania, India and the USA.

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Dr Fanam, who is a lecturer in maritime and logistics management at the AMC, said he had come to Northern Tasmania to study for his PhD.

"After finishing my PhD, we saw Australia as a good place for us, especially as a young couple, to raise our family here," he said.

"We love the environment and everything over here. It's a great honor to have Australia as a home and to be citizens of Australia."

Dr Fanam said the experience of being conferred Australian citizenship was "really special" and "emotional" for he and his family.

West Tamar mayor Christina Holmdahl, who officiated the citizenship ceremony, said Australia Day was about "coming together to celebrate contemporary Australia, while never forgetting our history".

"Our newcomers have enriched our lives with their customs and traditions and have contributed to their new home by embracing our way of life," she said.