VC Excellence Awards
The annual VC Excellence Awards have been refreshed to reward outstanding performance and service by Western Sydney University staff. The awards are the University’s premier recognition for staff who excel and consistently deliver on the mission of student success, impactful research, and stronger communities.
The awards promote the strategic goals of WESTERN 2030, champion the University’s values, and encourage professional development.
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients
The 2025 VC Excellence Awards were presented on Wednesday 18 March 2026.
Award Categories
VC’s Excellence in Teaching Award | Teacher of the Year
Senior Lecturer - Human Genetics
School of Science
Lecturer in Counselling
School of Social Sciences
This award recognises an individual or group with an exceptional record of advancing student learning, educational leadership, and scholarly contribution to learning and teaching.
The Judging Panel recommends one of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students Excellence in Teaching Award winners for the award.
VC’s Excellence in Research Award | Researcher of the Year
Professor of History and Medical Humanities
School of Arts
Professor Downham Moore
Nominated by Associate Professor Charles Barbour
This award is for research undertaken by an academic staff member who is considered an outstanding researcher or research by a team. It acknowledges the very best research achievement at the University with demonstrable impact which extends beyond the institution. It is awarded to an individual or team.
VC’s Excellence in Service Award
Mark Holmes
International Student Liaison Officer
Mark was nominated by Natalee Koller
This award recognises an individual or team that has delivered meaningful impact. It encourages applications that demonstrate the importance and benefits of the University’s outreach activities to the University, community, and business.
VC Excellence Award | Strengthening Student Success
Dr Amer Hijazi
Associate Lecturer - Construction Management
School of Built, Environment and Design
Dr Hijazi was nominated by Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon
This award recognises an individual or team who has excelled in strengthening the success and experiences of students.
VC Excellence Award | Putting Our People First
Jess Gleeson
Registrar
Jess was nominated by Marcelle Thompson.
This award recognises an individual or team who has fostered a positive, inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
VC Excellence Award | Leading Indigenous Acceleration
Lindsay McCabe
Associate Lecturer
School of Social Sciences
Lindsay was nominated by Professor Jason Pandya-Wood.
This award is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous nominees, recognises an individual or team who has proved exceptional in advancing Indigenous education, research, and/or engagement.
VC Excellence Award | Unlocking Global Impact
The Vietnam Team
Adjunct Professor Douglas Foster, Provost, Vietnam
Dr Tim Hall, Deputy Provost, Vietnam, and the team in Vietnam
The Vietnam Team was nominated by Dr Nicolene Murdoch.
This award recognises the efforts of an individual or a team to enhance the University’s international collaborations, reputation, and reach.
VC Excellence Award | Driving Research and Innovation
Dr Ying Xu
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Auditory Neuromorphic Engineering
International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems
Dr Xu was nominated by Professor Gregory Cohen.
This award recognises an individual or team who has produced research excellence and high-impact solutions.
VC Excellence Award | Unleashing Western Sydney
The Factory of the Future Team
- Don Wright - Executive Director, Enterprise
- Sudesh Budram - Manager, Factory of the Future
- Anna Lin, Senior Manager - Partnerships and Precinct Activation
- John Teague - Industry Partnership Advisor, Factory of the Future
The team was nominated by Paul Hogan
This award recognises an individual or team who has demonstrated excellence in engaging with Western Sydney and empowering the region.
VC Excellence Award | Securing Sustainability
The combined Built Environment and Engineering Technical Team from the Office of Teaching and Research Technical Services
- Dr Tosin Famakinwa - Technical Manager, Built Environment and Engineering
- Trevor Johnstone - Senior Technical Support Officer, Architecture
- Vincent Wozniak-O'Connor - Senior Technical Support Officer, Advanced Manufacturing
- Saif Tareq - Technical Support Officer, Advanced Manufacturing & Design
The team was nominated by Dr Shane Griffin.
This award recognises an individual or team that ensures Western can continue to lead the world in promoting environmental, financial, and social sustainability.
Nominations for the 2026 VC Excellence Awards will open later this year.
Further information can be found in the VC Excellence Awards guidelines. If you have further questions, please contact publicaffairs@westernsydney.edu.au.
