Our Australian Financial Review Higher Education Award finalists

The University has finalists in four categories.

Emerging Leader

Computer Science and Technology James Alexander is the Program Leader of Incubate a startup and entrepreneur program he co-founded four years ago as an undergraduate. Incubate has supported 53 startups, helped more than 120 students and alumni launch their entrepreneurial careers, and built up a mentor network of more than 100 industry professionals and entrepreneurs. Incubate has helped $7 million worth of industry investment dollars into startups now worth more than $30 million. Last week the University committed $1 million to the program. 

Employability

The Faculty of Health Sciences’ Leadership Development program aims to give graduates the best start in the employment market and develop future industry leaders. Highlights of the program include:

• Belong@FHS – a mentoring scheme whereby first year students receive mentoring support by senior students and senior students can be mentored by alumni.
• Sydney Health Leaders – a program recognising leadership it students who become involved in university, community and volunteer activities.
• Leadership Mentoring Program – an initiative giving final year students the opportunity to be mentored by senior leaders from the private or public health sector.
• Alumni Mentoring Program – students are given the opportunity to work with alumni on a regular basis to ensure they are prepared for the workplace.

Equity and Opportunity

Wingara Mura - Bunga Barrabugu is the name of the University of Sydney’s strategy which commits us to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, engagement, education and research. As part of this strategy, the Widening Participation and Outreach unit offers programs helping young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across the country to prepare for higher education, including giving high school students the opportunity to experience university life. These programs have increased enrolments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to the University of Sydney and higher education overall. 

Industry Engagement

The Australian Centre for Field Robotics, based at the University’s Faculty of Engineering and IT, is one of the world’s largest field robotics research institutes The centre is committed to working with industry to translate research in autonomous systems science. Its collaborative partnerships have helped Qantas fly optimised routes and reduce fuel consumption, and Rio Tinto realise its vision of a fully autonomous, remotely-operated mine.