The Chancellor's column

August 2009

Distinguished Alumni Awards

In June, I was privileged to co-host with Professor Richard Larkins the Monash University Distinguished Alumni Awards at the BMW Edge in Federation Square, Melbourne. It is a beautiful venue at which I have often attended functions, but on the evening of the Distinguished Alumni Awards it took on a special brilliance that I had not noticed before.

The river sparkled, the concert hall tower rocketed its signals to the glittering stars and the buildings gleamed against the night sky. The usual beauty of the venue grew to unusual vividness because of the distinction of the occasion – a celebration of the achievements of Monash University graduates.

The crowning glory of any university is the success of its graduates; the reason for the university’s existence is to add value and opportunity to the lives of its students. By training the next generation in professional skills and clear thinking, our University contributes to the creation of new ideas in economics, climate, law, science and many other disciplines, ideas that are essential to the survival of our planet as the place we want our children to inherit.

The alumni receiving awards that night have each demonstrably made an impact on the world stage – in education and research, business, health care, the environment, development and innovation.

Not surprisingly, given our international nature, our recipients joined us from around the world, travelling from San Francisco, Oxford, Cambridge, Paris and, of course, Melbourne.

Professor Julian Savulescu described the life-changing experience he enjoyed as an undergraduate medical student when he picked up an extra subject in practical ethics taught by Peter Singer. This directly led to him returning to philosophy after he completed his medical degree and ultimately his appointment as a very young professor of practical ethics at the University of Oxford.

Professor Susan Davis obtained her medical degree and PhD from Monash, and is now the inaugural Chair of Women’s Health in the Monash University Department of Medicine at the Alfred Hospital, where she is a recognised world-leader in women’s health research. Susan described how when she started her research career she was able to have two children and start her family with the support of the University. Monash was a place of employment that enabled her to combine family life and career.

Mr Alan Ramadan, now living in Silicon Valley, is a highly successful IT entrepreneur and technology visionary who studied computer science and mathematics at Monash. Alan is famous for co-founding Quokka Sports, the company that pioneered internet coverage of international sports events, including the Sydney Olympics. He described the dramatic effect his studies had on his life, including the time when he brought a team from his company that was developing the new hull design for Australia’s America’s Cup challenge to Monash University to use our large-scale wind tunnel.

The other award winners were no less exceptional. Dr Fritz Balkau, a senior expert in sustainability (most recently based at the United Nations in Paris), Mr George Pappas, Chairman of the Committee for Melbourne, and Mr Hugh Evans, 2004 Young Australian of the Year and founder of the Oaktree Foundation, all described their extraordinary careers shaped substantially by their time at Monash University.

Our University’s vision is to improve the human condition. In other words, to make a meaningful contribution to social wellbeing, to the economy and to the environment. How do we do achieve this? It all boils down to one thing – an unwavering investment in our staff and our students.

As I listened to the award winners reflect on their experiences at Monash, I was proud to be an alumnus and I was proud to be the Chancellor. The sparkling BMW Edge was a fitting venue in which to celebrate the prestige, achievement and commonality of our brilliant graduates.

Dr Alan Finkel AM (BE 1976, PhD 1981)
Chancellor
Monash University