With power, comes responsibility – celebrating our Zema Scholars

Recently, Monash University welcomed scholars, supervisors and partners to an evening celebrating the annual Zema Energy Studies Scholarship.

The Zema Scholarship supports outstanding PhD students working across engineering, IT, business and economics on some of the most complex challenges facing Australia’s energy system.

Named in honour of the late Matt Zema, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)’s founding CEO and a Monash alumnus, the program is helping shape the next generation of energy leaders.

Monash Engineering warmly congratulates Madeleine Neaves, an Honours graduate of Monash Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, who received a scholarship this year, joining fellow Zema Scholars Shaylin Chetty and Lakshan Bernard, also from the Faculty of Engineering.

Throughout the evening, scholars shared their research journeys and ambitions. From advancing grid intelligence, to exploring pathways to improving energy infrastructure and planning. Their work highlights the depth of thinking and innovation emerging across the sector.

Monash Energy Institute Director Shreejan Pandey reflected on the purpose behind the program, saying “This scholarship program honours Matt Zema, and a reform leader whose legacy was defined by public purpose and by leading through complexity. That legacy feels especially relevant now, where energy is, once again, central to questions about resilience and economic security.”

AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman added, “The Zema Scholarship program ensures the scholars are equipped with the knowledge and the tools they need to tackle real world problems and are ready to take on leadership roles in delivering the Australian energy system of the future.”

We’re proud to welcome this year’s scholars into Monash’s vibrant interdisciplinary energy research community, and grateful to AEMO and the Zema family for their vision and continued support.

Particular thanks to our Faculty supervisors Dr Reza Razzaghi I Professor David Hill I Professor Behrooz Bahrani I A/Prof Roger Dargaville I Professor Hai Vu I A/Prof Elizabeth Ratnam I Dr Mehdi Ghazavi Dozein

Pictured, top L to R - Mr Demetrio Zema with scholarship recipient Madeleine Neaves and Professor Yiannis Ventikos, Dean of Faculty of Engineering.