University reaps rewards

UWS staff and initiatives have been awarded at a host of prestigious events over the past weeks. Here, you'll find out more about these great achievements.

UWS was successful in the Australian Research Council Grants announced on 5 November, winning support for outstanding early career researchers through the Fellowship program and research projects via the Discovery program. More information on the research and grants awarded to UWS researchers can be found in the UWS Australian Research Council Grants for 2015 (PDF, 3247.69 KB) document.

In recognition of their lifelong contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the UWS Elders on Campus program was awarded a prestigious national 2013 Elders Award by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Advisory Council for Elders and Leaders in Education during October. Only five of the awards are presented each year by the Australian Government's Department of Education to Elders who have made a significant contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education in Australia. This significant achievement recognises UWS for the many initiatives that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' higher education such as the Elders on Campus (opens in a new window); early career academic, cadetship and traineeship programs; the annual Yarramundi Lecture; and Generations of Knowledge. An example of UWS Elders on Campus' work includes being chosen to provide input into the trial of a new 'Koori Court', a first for NSW designed to help break the cycle of crime and keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth out of jail. You can read more about the trial in the News Centre article (opens in a new window).

On 12 November, UWS was announced as a recipient of the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation for 2014. This new citation replaces the Employer of Choice for Women citation, which UWS received for 10 consecutive years up to 2013. The award recognises our ongoing effort to support gender equality and create opportunities for all of our employees to progress and succeed in their careers. More information about gender equality at UWS can be found on the Gender Equality webpage (opens in a new window).

Earlier this month, UWS was awarded the Green Gown Social Responsibility Award for leadership in the Youth Eco Summit (opens in a new window). This award recognises initiatives by tertiary education institutions that create significant benefits for communities, disadvantaged groups and/or society as a whole either in Australiasia or developing countries. The Youth Eco Summit is a partnership between UWS, the Department of Education and Communities, and Sydney Olympic Park Authority under the RCE-GWS banner.

Congratulations to all involved in these achievements.