17 November 2017
The University of South Australia will honour four of its outstanding graduates at a special event in Adelaide in November – acknowledging the power education gives individuals to shape their world.
The UniSA Alumni Awards will be presented at a gala event on Saturday November 18 at UniSA’s historic, Brookman Hall.
This year’s recipients include Glenn Cooper AM, business leader and Chairman of Coopers Brewery, one of Australia’s iconic brands; CEO of the Ngaanyatarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, Andrea Mason; President of Kaplan, one of Singapore’s most successful education providers, Leon Choong; and advocate for children’s nutrition and education in Kenya, Wawira Njiru.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says it is at the annual alumni awards that the world sees the real value of education.
“At these awards we mark our graduates’ outstanding contributions to society and to our local and global communities,” Prof Lloyd says.
“In every recipient we see how education opens doors, widens understanding and challenges the norm.
“Those who have been privileged find ways to share their wealth and talent or those who have had to overcome disadvantage or adversities, they have gone on to make it their goal to change the world for the better, and their UniSA education gave them the tools to succeed.
“It is a night to acknowledge our greatest assets - our enterprising graduates – people who change the world, improve lives, promote equality and foster success. I am so proud that they are UniSA Alumni, reflecting all the qualities of our institution in all that they do.”
UniSA will also induct founding members to The Hetzel Group, named in honour former UniSA Chancellor, the late Dr Basil Hetzel.
The Group acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of donors who have made philanthropic gifts to the University of $100,000 or more.
Director of Advancement at UniSA, Deborah Heithersay says the generous contributions made by members of the Hetzel Group and other donors continue to support scholarship opportunities for students and the provision of state-of-the-art infrastructure that enhances learning at UniSA.
“Donations to support education have a long and extensive legacy – they support generational improvements,” Heithersay says.
“Education in a general sense is related to better life and health outcomes, but the contribution made by our graduates to society can be everything from curing previously devastating diseases, or teaching and inspiring a student to choose the right path, right through leading better governments and or saving the environment.
“Each gift we receive is an investment in the future.”
You can read the full story of each alumni award winner online.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
