2025 Annual Report

In 2025, 956 Narrm Scholars began their studies – many supported thanks to the generosity of donors – with 41 undertaking overseas experiences and 153 securing on-campus jobs or internships through the new career readiness program.

The Student Services Transformation Program cut administrative burden and strengthened student support pathways, with Student Equity and Disability Services and Special Consideration streamlining registration and reducing the need for special exams.

Education-focused staff received targeted support through 44 Advance HE Fellowships funded by the University; 33 Learning and Teaching Initiative (LTI) grants; and two GEM Scott Teaching Fellowships.

The University strengthened academic integrity and assessment in 2025, introducing major policy reforms and new assessment principles to address the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

A GenAI Hub pilot, a forum bringing together 150+ leaders from more than 25 universities and the work of 16 Student GenAI Innovators, advanced the University’s integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning.

Through the STEM Centre of Excellence (SCoE), Science Gallery Melbourne connected more than 19,500 high school students with real world STEM research, innovation and creativity.

The University established the Robert Cripps Institute for Cultural Conservation to advance our understanding of cultural materials and their importance to Indigenous communities, enabled by a $15 million gift from Minsmere Pty Ltd.

The University launched the Advancing Research 2030: Excellence for Impact strategy, charting a path to deliver continued research excellence, collaboration and impact.

August marked 40 years since the first child received a multichannel cochlear implant. This bioengineering innovation was developed by University of Melbourne Laureate Professor Graeme Clark AC and has given more than one million people the gift of hearing.

Spin-out Apromore was acquired by tech giant Salesforce. Built on a decade of research, this automated AI software is used by major corporations to optimise operations.

Professor Richard Robson was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, one of three scientists recognised for developing metal-organic frameworks, a new class of solids with revolutionary applications in gas and energy storage and catalytic reactors.

One thousand graduate researcher theses were submitted for examination, the largest number of theses in a single calendar year since the University introduced its PhD research degree in 1945.

The Potter Museum of Art reopened, with 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art attracting over 50,000 visitors.

The award-winning Gahgook Indigenous Cultural Education Program launched for all staff, taking a First Nations approach to anti-racism and building cultural capabilities.

The University’s first Annual Report on Racism was published in May 2025, outlining incidents, status of complaints and outcomes.

The Melbourne Global Centre – Delhi hosted more than 50 events in its first year, welcoming alumni and stakeholders in higher education, business, industry and government.

Pathways to Politics for Women marked a decade of driving gender equality in political leadership, celebrating 750+ participants and 92 electoral successes across Federal, State and Local government.

Across all campuses, the University achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity.