Monash takes out two awards at the 2026 AFR Higher Education Awards
The Monash Institute of Railway Technology has won the AFR Higher Education Industry Engagement award, while the Monash Virtual School picked up the Learning and Teaching Excellence award.
Monash University has scored a major double success at the 2026 AFR Higher Education Awards, showcasing excellence in both high-impact research and world-class education.
The University’s Institute of Railway Technology (Monash IRT) has won the Industry Engagement award, while the Monash Virtual School picked up the Learning and Teaching Excellence award.
Monash IRT takes out Industry Engagement Award
The Monash IRT was commended for their impactful industry partnerships in railway research and development, which deliver value and practical solutions for the railway industry across the globe.
Railway operators face many challenges to improve efficiency, safety and sustainability. For 26 years, Monash IRT has partnered with over 170 global railway organisations to deliver collaborative research, innovation and advanced technologies, translating to real-world benefits to businesses, industries and communities.
Professor Ravi Ravitharan, Director of Monash Institute of Railway Technology said he was proud to receive the award, which highlights the importance of industry engagement with the higher education sector.
“Through close collaboration and ongoing dialogue, Monash IRT has fostered mutual respect between industry and higher education. We have a proven history of solving railway technical issues and we continue to support railway operations through innovative solutions that are being deployed globally,” Professor Ravitharan said.
This award recognises the critical need for close engagement between researchers and industry to create, develop and advance innovations to ensure railways are well equipped with modern technologies that are sustainable and translatable into real solutions supporting railways to connect communities, and enabling businesses and industry to prosper.
Monash Virtual School wins Learning and Teaching Excellence Award
The Monash Virtual School was recognised for the essential education and free online learning programs they offer to enhance equal educational opportunity and educational support for young people in regional Victoria, as well as supporting displaced young people living in conflict zones around the world.
Professor Mike Phillips, Director of the Monash Virtual School, said the Monash Virtual School is a great example of what a partnership between philanthropy and Australian initial teacher education providers like Monash can achieve.
“We want to remove barriers to education and empower young people to build a better future for themselves and their communities. We’re extremely grateful to receive the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Award for Learning and Teaching Excellence and know that this wouldn’t be possible without the help and ongoing support of our many volunteer educators,” Professor Phillips said.
The Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards highlight the tremendous contribution that the Higher Education sector makes to Australian prosperity and quality of life.
The annual awards recognise and celebrate excellence across eight categories, which include community engagement; emerging leadership; employability; industry engagement; opportunity and inclusion; research commercialisation; and teaching and learning excellence.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Robyn Ward AM, congratulated Professor Ravi Ravitharan and the IRT team and The Monash Virtual School team.
“The Industry Engagement award reflects the impact of long-standing collaboration between IRT and industry. For over 50 years they have been turning research and engineering expertise into practical solutions that make railways safer, improve reliability, lower maintenance costs and connect communities. Monash has a strong history of deep industry collaboration, and as Australia's number one university for industry research, we are proud to see IRT and the team recognised for their outstanding work.
“Congratulations also to the Monash Virtual School, making a transformative difference to young people both within Australia and across the world.”
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