Excellence in University Engagement and Sustainability

Winner - Staff Individual

Associate Professor Amanda Third, Institute for Culture and Society

A committed engaged researcher, Associate Professor Amanda third has a profile of sustained interdisciplinary and cross-sector engagement in the field of young people's digital practices and their wellbeing. Amanda is a founding member of the Technology and Wellbeing Roundtable: a Research Program Leader in the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre; a member of the international Digitally Connected Network; and an Expert Advisor to Global Kids Online, an initiative of UNICEF and the London School of Economics.

Winner - Staff Team

School of Medicine Community Engagement

• Dr Brahm Marjadi, Senior Lecturer, Community Engaged Learning, School of Medicine
• Ms Tina Banks, School Administrative Officer, Community Engagement, School of Medicine

Winner - Student Individual

Mr Nakia Belmer, Bachelor of Sciences (Honours)

Through his undergraduate degree (completed early 2015) Nakia enriched his university study with volunteer involvement in sustainability projects whilst studying and working. Nakia's projects have included research resulting in a peer-reviewed publication that has resulted in the Environment Protection Authority taking action to fix a major coal mine pollution source.  Nakia generously assists other students and freely provides his time to sustainability research and education projects.  He is establishing a broad community profile in the Blue Mountains and the Greater West as a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability. Through Mr Belmer's degree he enriched his university study with volunteer involvement in sustainability projects whilst studying and working.

Winners - Student Team

Promotion of Agriculture

• Mr Francis Arias, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Animal Science)
• Mr Damien Balzer, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security)
• Ms Amy Fazl, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security)
• Mr Evan Jolly, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security)
• Mr Sean Marney, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security)
• Ms Grace Scott, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Advanced)
• Mr Justin Whittle, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security)

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security students are engaging with communities on a regional, national and international basis. They have reached audiences ranging from: high school students and careers advisors; university students from a wide range of disciplines; campus and local community stakeholders; industry representatives; news and social media; senior executives in government; and international collaborators.

Western Sydney University Enactus

• Ms Terri Ferreira, Student, Bachelor of Communication
• Miss Kharma Greer, Student, Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Ms Megan Hounslow, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Advanced)
• Miss Cisem Kinali, Student, Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Miss Monica Lane, Student, Bachelor of Communication
• Miss Amber Rich, Student, Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Miss Kate Roach, Student, Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Miss Samantha Walker, Student, Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Mr Justin Whittle, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security)

The Enactus team is a student led group from all disciplines who work on social entrepreneurship endeavours. They have been active in the local community since 2003. In 2014-2015 the team has formed a partnership with OzHarvest to develop curriculum for primary school student relating to food sustainability and waste.

Highly Commended - Student

• Ms Megan Hounslow, Student, Bachelor of Natural Science (Advanced)

Nominated

• Dr Ragbir Bhathal, Lecturer, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics