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Distinguished alumni awards video

Julian Savulescu

On memorable moments of his time at Monash:

"One of the most important moments or times of my life was actually in first year medicine at Monash University, where I had the opportunity to do an extra subject, and the privilege to do philosophy as an extra subject. Peter Singer was teaching then, and I attended his course on practical ethics and this really sparked my interest and passion to do this later on. [35:40] And it was seven or eight years later that I returned to that. But had it not been for that course at Monash I would never have gone on to do philosophy, or gone on to Oxford. [35:51] So it was quite an important directive moment in my life."

Susan Davis

On the impact of here Monash education on life and career:

"Monash provided me the opportunity not only for my medical training but also for my PhD and what's really important through that phase of my life is that I was able to start a family and have to children [2:41] with the support of the University and my mentors Henry Burger and John Funder [2:46]. And actually combined, as a woman, a family life and a career. And that's been incredibly important to me and my family."

Alan Ramadan

Answering the question: What impact has your Monash education had on your life and career?

"My Monash education was in computer science and math and it really moved me into the computing industry. It's had a dramatic impact on my life. I now live in San Francisco and I'm part of Silicon Valley and the whole software and internet community. Without the education, that wouldn't have been possible."

About coming back to Monash to test the boat during the America's Cup campaign:

"During the America's Cup we came back to Monash. We were looking for a wind tunnel facility to do the testing of our bulbs and our sails and our keels. And Bill Melbourne and his staff had assembled a world class facility, and it was exactly what we needed. But it was fun to be back at the University, back on the old home turf, during the America's Cup campaign."

Fritz Balkau

How does receiving a Distinguished Alumni Award make you feel?

"Well it makes me feel good, it makes me feel proud. When I started at Monash it was a very young institution, there was a lot of excitement around and many things were being built up and developed. I see now that this process is still going on with the expansion of Monash University around the world, international campuses, creative research, useful applications. Monash is still there as a top institution and I'm proud to be a graduate."

George Pappas

Words of advice for new graduates?

"I think the best advice I can give to Monash graduates, or about to be Monash graduates, is 'seize the opportunities' that Monash creates for you. [40:31] You may or may not be aware of the many opportunities your stay at Monash will create . But [40:40] you've got to be alive to those and seize them and pursue them as they will lead to all kinds of wonderful outcomes for you."

On the award:

"So, in some respects I think it's a bit unfair to be singled out, but I'm very honoured to accept the award. [48:13] I think, given the number of people who do great things for the University, I regard this actually as being an award for them. [48:26] I feel as if I am a representative of the many alumni who go out of their way to give back something to the University that has given them so much."

Hugh Evans

On what drives him:

"If we are going to end extreme poverty we need to send a clear and unequivocal message that it's not right that a child dies for lack of a 30 cent immunisation. It's not right that 30,000 children still die every single day due to causes that can be prevented. If we send that message, I believe that we can also end extreme poverty in our lifetime."

On his time at Monash:

"That was the breadth of, I think, holistic education that Monash provided in that it wasn't focused simply on, you know, let's make sure you can pass your exams and get onto a vocation somewhere in the future. It was 'explore what your passions are, where your heart is now, so then you can be a well rounded person'. So when you go out into the workforce the chances are that you have much greater success, as you are following that which you believe in. I found that at Monash in spades."

Video ends.