Two FEIT projects focused on knowledge exchange and teaching outcomes win Engagement Australia 2023 Excellence Awards

In a double triumph of excellence, two Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) projects, the Budj Bim On-Country Learning and Research project and the Innovation Practice Program (IPP), have both earned prestigious Engagement Australia 2023 Awards.

The former secured the Excellence in Indigenous Engagement Award, recognising its exceptional collaboration between The University of Melbourne and the Gunditjmara community at Budj Bim.

Led by Associate Professor Juliana Kaya Prpic, Mr Damein Bell and the Gunditjmara community, this collaborative project is grounded in a rich partnership between the Gunditjmara people and The University of Melbourne that is based on two-way learning and knowledge exchange at the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape.

Image: Michael Kai

The partnership involves an expanding program of on-Country learning and research activities that promote the Gunditjmara vision of Ngootyoong Gunditj Ngootyong Mara (healthy place, healthy people).

What distinguishes this project is its dedication to the 'Indigenous engagement framework,' which incorporates components of place, philosophy, people, practice and projects. This comprehensive approach exemplifies excellence and innovation in both teaching and research. The initiative pioneers in-place engagement and intercultural knowledge exchange with Indigenous peoples, establishing the global standard for similar initiatives.

Associate Professor Juliana Kaya Prpic and Associate Professor Peter Cebon.

On the other front, the IPP, under the leadership of Associate Professor Peter Cebon, with Innovation Instructors Rowan Doyle and Jillian Kenny, Leadership Instructor Emilie Perrot, Academic and Program Coordinators Rebecca Willcox and Natalie Mather, and Research and Engagement Officer Claire Capel-Stanley, garnered the Outstanding Engagement for Student Learning Award.

This program leverages sponsor relationships to achieve unprecedented teaching outcomes while the students create opportunities for sponsors and researchers that were previously out of reach. The IPP Spark program, with 369 projects delivered since 2017, equips students with critical mindsets and professional skills, creating a lasting impact beyond graduation.

Image: Supplied

The IPP is a testament to the transformative power of student engagement, showcasing how universities can bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering a symbiotic relationship that benefits all stakeholders involved.

These dual triumphs highlight the profound impact universities can have on communities, preserving cultural heritage, enhancing learning experiences and creating valuable connections between academia and industry.

Engagement Australia, established in 2003, stands as the premier alliance uniting Australian and New Zealand universities with a shared commitment to excellence in higher education engagement. The crowning achievement is the Engagement Australia Excellence Awards, a beacon that illuminates the outstanding contributions of institutions and individuals, shaping the future of higher education with a dedication to knowledge, collaboration and societal impact.

For more information: https://engagementaustralia.org.au/2023-engagement-australia-excellence-awards-winners-announced/