Alum Tony Luo Awarded Prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship 2025

Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning alum Tony Luo has been awarded the distinguished Schwarzman Scholarship for 2025.

Tony joins a global cohort of future leaders who will undertake a one-year Master’s in Global Affairs at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, focusing on tackling the pressing challenges of our century.

Tony graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2018 with a Bachelor of Environments, majoring in Urban Design & Planning and Property. His passion for creating sustainable, livable cities has earned him a reputation as a rising star in urban planning.

He most recently served as the Strategy and Performance Lead at Sustainability Victoria, where he contributed to transformative projects that advance the state's circular economy and decarbonisation goals.

“I look forward to gaining new perspectives and insights from this international experience, which I believe will enhance my ability to contribute meaningfully here in Australia,” Tony said.

The Schwarzman Scholarship, inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, is one of the most competitive scholarship programs globally, bringing together leaders from diverse fields to foster global collaboration.

Tony said he is eager to explore China's innovative urban governance strategies and world-leading sustainability practices, which he believes offer valuable insights for Australia. “China’s approach to long-term planning and climate resilience inspires me. Their innovative environmental strategies, such as mitigating urban flood risks, offer learnings that we can adapt and implement to strengthen our own sustainability efforts.”

As a Schwarzman Scholar, Tony said he hopes to bridge divides in the global discourse on sustainability, fostering collaborative solutions to address the intertwined challenges of climate change and economic pressures.