Outstanding students, teachers and researchers were applauded at the 2023 College of Science and Engineering’s Recognising Achievement awards ceremony, conducted on 21 May at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus.
Co-Masters of Ceremonies, Professor Claire Lenehan, Dean (Research) and Professor Ingo Koeper, Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching), welcomed valued sponsors and donors, along with friends and family, to a refreshing evening of entertainment (and the occasional science joke) in celebration of our best and brightest.
Professor Alistair Rendell (Vice-President and Executive Dean), Professor Giselle Rampersad (Dean, Education) and Professor Lenehan each addressed the audience, reflecting on areas of significant progress for the College during 2023 across areas of teaching, research and infrastructure. They also highlighted the value of recognising the outstanding achievements of our staff and students, and the critical and highly valued role of sponsors and donors to encourage and support excellence from our students.
Keynote speaker and Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) (Honours) graduate Davide Pedone was a triple award winner on the night. He also delivered a highly engaging address reflecting on his study experiences as an adult-entry student, having come from the workforce as a qualified electrician. He outlined the challenges of juggling study, work and family obligations and the additional obstacle of developing skills in academic writing with a non-English speaking background. He emphasised the importance of hard work and diligence in his journey to success, providing an inspiration for us all.
Davide highlighted the supportive educational environment he found at Flinders University, mentioning key academic staff and supervisors who supported his success along the way, and said that receiving his awards will motivate him to pursue excellence in his career and make a positive contribution to the Engineering community.
The College was delighted to welcome two representatives of Soroptimist International of South Australia Clubs, with state president Deb Tregilgas travelling from Port Pirie to help celebrate the inaugural Prize for Women in Sustainability, sponsored by Soroptimist International of South Australia Clubs.
The evening also showcased the outstanding work of our dedicated teachers and researchers. The College acknowledged the hard work of our esteemed researchers in the areas of Leadership and Scholarly Excellence, Student Mentorship and Emerging Research Leadership. The evening also awarded education excellence in the Vice President and Executive Dean’s Teaching Excellence awards.
The formal ceremony saw Professor Rendell formally launch the College of Science & Engineering Prizes Fund. Two new prizes have been supported by this Fund; the Postgraduate Engineering Management Prize and the Postgraduate Information Technology Prize. This Fund is the first of its type at Flinders, representing the College’s commitment to bolster existing donor-funded prizes – and the College looks forward to establishing more prizes in the future.
Following the awards presentation, attendees gathered in the Alere foyer to enjoy delicious food and drinks, as prize winners enjoyed an opportunity to network with our valued sponsors.
We thank the College’s valued sponsors for supporting our students and enabling the College to best recognise their outstanding achievements: Aurizn ● Australian Computer Society (SA) ● Australian Institute of Physics ● Electric Energy Society of Australia ● Engineers Australia ● Forensic Science SA ● Institution of Engineering and Technology ● Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ● Matthews Lawyers ● Society of Medical and Biomedical Engineering SA/NT ● Royal Australian Chemical Institute (SA) ● RS ● REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd ● Royal Society for Public Health (SA) ● Soroptimist International Southern Districts of Adelaide ● Soroptimist International South Australia Clubs.