The College of Science and Engineering’s Recognising Achievement award ceremony was held on May 23rd 2023, at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus.

For the first time, the ceremony recognised the College’s most outstanding students and researchers of 2022.   

The inclusion of the College’s research prizes offered a further opportunity to showcase research success of the past year to an audience that included staff, students and their guests, and the valued student prize sponsors from industry, government, and academic societies.  

The College’s prize offerings reflect the University's core values of Integrity, Courage, Innovation, and Excellence, and demonstrate the College’s commitment to our student-centred ethos.   

The student prizes awarded during the ceremony will remain the foundation of the College’s established prize offerings, following commitments from all sponsors to continue supporting their awards.   

The co-Masters of Ceremonies, Professor Claire Lenehan, Dean (Research), and Associate Professor Ingo Koeper, Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching), displayed great chemistry as they assumed their roles in a style that mirrored any televised awards ceremony with golden statuettes.  

Professor Alistair Rendell, Vice-President and Executive Dean, Professor Giselle Rampersad, Dean (Education), and Professor Lenehan spoke to the importance of recognising such achievements, and recent teaching and research successes and infrastructure investments.  

The evening’s keynote speaker was Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Forensic and Analytical Science) student, Amy Conroy, who reflected on her experiences at Flinders University and post-graduation plans. Amy was also awarded the Forensic Science SA Prize in Forensic and Analytical Science and The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (SA Branch) Prize for Chemistry, during the ceremony.   

Amy acknowledged the challenges posed by the transition to online learning during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study on campus alongside her friends and engage with teaching staff in person. Amy also highlighted her involvement as a student ambassador, which provided her with valuable skills in public speaking and representing the university at various events.  

During her speech, Amy mentioned the diverse range of topics she studied, including chemistry, biology, nanotechnology, and medical science. She also emphasized her active role as a topic representative and shared details about her research project on detection methods for clandestine methamphetamine contamination. Amy expressed her aspirations for a career that combines problem-solving, organic and analytical chemistry, and a continued passion for scientific knowledge.  

A notable attendee was The Honourable Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of South Australia, who added to the significance of the occasion and presented two sponsored student prizes in the field of forensic science.  

Following the awards presentation, attendees enjoyed food, drinks, and mingling, providing an opportunity for networking and celebration.  

The ceremony also provided the perfect opportunity for the Professor Rendell to introduce the College’s trailblazing, newly established College of Science & Engineering Prizes Fund, which will be formally launched later this year.   

The fund signals the start of the next era of student prizes in the College and paves the way for a significant increase in the College’s prize offerings to ensure that all students have a prize they can aspire to due to secure funding.   

Donations made to the fund will ensure that generations of the College's highest achieving students will receive deserved recognition through the award of prizes.  

Overall, the College of Science and Engineering's Recognising Achievement award ceremony was a true celebration of the accomplishments of our exceptional students and researchers of 2022, but also marked the introduction of the trailblazing College of Science & Engineering Prizes Fund. It provided a more personal celebration of achievement for students to share with friends and family- with one proud parent travelling internationally to attend!

Thank you to the College’s valued sponsors for supporting our students and providing the College the opportunity to best recognise their outstanding achievements.

Australian Computer Society (SA)

Australian Institute of Physics

Consilium Technology Pty Ltd

Electric Energy Society of Australia

Engineers Australia

Institution of Engineering and Technology

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Forensic Science SA

Matthews Lawyers

Society of Medical and Biomedical Engineering SA/NT

Royal Australian Chemical Institute (SA)

RS Pty Ltd

REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd

Royal Society for Public Health (SA)

Soroptimist International Southern Districts of Adelaide

See the award categories, sponsors, and previous recipients in full here