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Entries for the 2024 round of the Shaping Australia Awards, which recognise universities’ achievements in solving the nation’s biggest challenges and making a meaningful contribution to people’s lives, have been extended.
Voting for the second Shaping Australia Awards, presented by Universities Australia, remains open until October 1.
“Universities are the only organisations that both create knowledge through research and also teach that knowledge to students”, and these awards “celebrate the incredible work that involves”, judging panel chairwoman and University of Canberra chancellor Lisa Paul said. “The judges found (last year’s) nominations completely eye-opening in terms of the incredibly positive impact that universities have on Australians’ everyday life that Australians don’t even know about.”
There are three categories: the Problem Solver Award, which recognises groundbreaking research that has transformed or could transform Australian lives; the Future Builder Award for educators who have gone above and beyond to equip their students with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact; and the Community Champion Award, which honours community-focused initiatives making a difference. Each category has two winners, with another selected by the public through the People’s Choice voting system, which opens on October 9.
Winners will be announced on February 25 next year.
“I’m really excited for the 2025 awards because the results of this year were incredible and showcased some amazing work being done by Australian universities,” Ms Paul said.
Last year, University of NSW professor Guan Yeoh won the People’s Choice award for his FSA Firecoat paint, which insulates a building when exposed to flames. One of the Community Champion awards was awarded to CQUniversity’s U-BEACH project, which helps to make beaches more accessible.