Finalists in the Engagement Australia 2023 Excellence Awards Announced

Some 20 of Australia and New Zealand’s most exceptional university community-building and economic-advancement initiatives have been shortlisted in the Engagement Australia 2023 Excellence Awards.

The Awards identify and celebrate the transformative engagement activities undertaken by universities that demonstrate far-reaching impact and innovation in Australia and New Zealand.

The judging panel commented on the exceptional quality of the 2023 nominations.

Please visit our Awards page for more details about the finalists. The winners will be announced at our awards dinner on 21^st November in Sydney.

Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Recognising outstanding collaborations between tertiary education and communities for societal benefit. Emphasis is placed on partnerships that engage rural, regional, urban, disadvantaged or marginalised groups within Australia and New Zealand.

• BioEYES Australia, Monash University
• Community Fellows Program, The University of Melbourne
• La Trobe Albury Wodonga and Bradford Shepparton Pathways – lifting educational access and attainment for regional students, La Trobe University

Award for Excellence in Indigenous Engagement
Recognising outstanding collaborations between tertiary education and Indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand and beyond, that directly reduce disadvantage, and empower and give voice to First Nations peoples.

• The Yapatjarrathati Projects, Griffith University
• Yambirrpa School Partnership with University of Melbourne, University of Melbourne
• Budj Bim On-Country Learning and Research, University of Melbourne

Award for Excellence in International Engagement
Recognising outstanding international collaborations that raise the profile of tertiary education and make a substantial difference to communities both overseas and in Australia and New Zealand.

• GAPS (Gather Adjust Prepare Sustain) program, Griffith University
• Partnership for Global Impact: An international multidisciplinary, evidence-based, consumer-centric Network for better health, Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation
• The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) Collaboration, Curtin University

Award for Outstanding Engagement for Research Impact
Recognising excellence in research that makes a substantial difference to the community, or Australian or New Zealand prosperity, undertaken jointly by researchers in tertiary education institutes and partners in community, business or industry contexts

• Family Violence Triage in Family Courts: Safety, Efficacy and Benefit, La Trobe University
• Students with Additional Needs (SWANs)/Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (ABLES), University of Melbourne
• Changing how we do cancer research, UNSW
  

Award for Outstanding Engagement for Student Learning
Recognising partnerships and engagement practices that enhance the quality of learning and teaching in tertiary education and outcomes for students.

• La Trobe Eye Clinic, La Trobe University
• Innovation Practice Program, University of Melbourne
• Melbourne Law School Clinics Program, University of Melbourne

Award for Excellence in Student and/or Alumni Engagement
Recognising outstanding programs that improve student and/or alumni engagement and enhance the quality and impact of tertiary education.

• MBA for Life, Griffith University
• Heron Island Alumni Experience, The University of Queensland
• Flinders University Student-Alumni Mentoring Program (StAMP), Flinders University
• UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program, University of Technology Sydney

Award for Excellence in Industry Engagement
Recognising outstanding collaborations of mutual benefit between tertiary education and industry that enhances the quality and impact of tertiary education.

• UniSA Internships Industry to Student Speed Networking Events at Scale, University of South Australia
• Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, Deakin University
• Innovation Central Perth, Curtin University
• Institute for Infrastructure in Society (I2S): Next Generation Engagement Program, ANU Institute for Infrastructure in Society
• Bringing Life-Saving Medications to the Clinic, Monash University

Award for Outstanding Leadership in Engagement
Recognising an individual who has made notable contributions to engagement above and beyond that expected for their role, resulting in sustained partnerships for longer term impact.

• Professor Paulo de Souza for his work supporting Australia’s emerging space industry, Griffith University.
• Prof. Chris Maylea for his work in mental health advocacy, La Trobe University
• Catherine Cabacis Partnerships across Strategy, International and Engagement, RMIT

Please join us as we celebrate the Awards winners at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta Tuesday 21 November 6.30-9.30pm (AEDT) –  register here