LUMEN Spring 2022 - Flipbook - Page 3
Welcome
From the Vice-Chancellor and
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement)
As we move closer to the University’s
150th anniversary in 2024, it’s a
good time to reflect on both our
history and our future.
The University of Adelaide was
established to provide access to
higher education for the people of
South Australia without the need to
travel interstate or overseas. Even
then, the University’s aims were to
level the playing field: to prepare
new generations of leaders who were
shaped by education rather than by
birth or wealth. As an institution, we
have celebrated many ‘Australian
firsts’ over our long history; the first
to guarantee to admit women on
an equal basis with men, the first
to offer science degrees, the first
to establish a Conservatorium of
Music, and the first alum awarded a
Nobel Prize.
Today, we are known for our
excellence in many areas of teaching
and research. We are in the top one
per cent of institutions worldwide
and the highest ranking in our
home state.
But what truly makes a university
is not its rankings or numbers. It
is primarily our dedication to our
community, to furthering access to
higher education, and to seeking out
and addressing inequalities.
In this issue of lumen, we share
a profile on Sarah Meyer, who
participated in Children’s University
when she was in primary school.
This program engages children
in out-of-school opportunities to
increase their chances of educational
achievement, and aims to break
down some of the social barriers to
university education. Children who
complete the program are invited
to walk the stage in Bonython Hall
as part of their own graduation
ceremony, which we can say from
our attendance is a very special and
exciting time.
Sarah received a Bronze award
from the program in 2013, and
today is studying at Adelaide for her
Bachelor of Science with a major in
Microbiology. I hope you find the
stories behind Children’s University
as inspiring as we do.
On the back cover, you will also see
a piece on the Indigenous Support
Fund, which facilitates the Yaitya
Tipanthi Bursary. The fund was
established in 2021 with the Vice
Chancellor's own gift, with the goal
of improving access and success in
higher education for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students. We
would be very grateful if you would
also consider supporting the fund or
the other appeals on these pages.
Also in this issue, we share stories
of other notable alumni and the
real-world impact of their research
and work (and, in the case of Shaun
Micallef, good humour and wit).
There’s also a piece on researcher
Dr Anne-Lise Chaber from the
School of Animal and Veterinary
Sciences and her COVID-sniffing
canines, who are now working in the
Lyle McEwin Hospital.
Our University has much to be proud
of, both in terms of the history we
have made and the history we will
make. As we move closer to our
150th anniversary, we also invite
our community – and especially our
alumni – to contribute your ideas to
our celebration. I encourage you to
email alumni@adelaide.edu.au if you
would like to get involved or just share
your thoughts.
We hope you enjoy the many stories
and profiles we have to share with you
in this edition of lumen.
Professor Peter Høj AC
Vice-Chancellor and President
Dr Jessica Gallagher
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(External Engagement)
ALUMNI MAGAZINE - SPRING 2022
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