The awards honour university-led innovations in research, teaching and community service. This year’s winners chosen by a judging panel of eminent Australians are:
- Problem solver award – University of Sydney’s ‘Saving our cereals’. Around sixty per cent of Australia’s wheat now carries genetic resistance to rust disease, thanks to research by Professor Robert Park and his team safeguarding agricultural production and food security.
- Future builder award – University of South Australia’s Degree apprenticeship program. Australia’s first university apprenticeship program is breaking financial barriers – students earn a salary without taking on debt. Its success has led South Australia’s Department of State Development to explore expanding degree apprenticeships.
- Community champion award – UNSW Sydney Kirby Institute’s Point-of-care testing in remote First Nations communities. This program has led to a forty per cent drop in pelvic inflammatory disease and a thirty per cent reduction in preterm births among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Now operating in over 100 remote communities, it has saved Australia’s health care system up to $1.8 billion.
Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM, chair of the judging panel, congratulated the winners and finalists for driving such important and inspiring initiatives.
“The judging panel had the privilege to learn about and fully appreciate the ways Australia’s universities are shaping our country’s future,” Ms Paul said.
An additional three winners were selected by the Australian community in the People’s Choice award across each category. A full description of all six winning projects is available at shapingaustraliaawards.com.au. The 2025 Shaping Australia Awards will open later this year.
