2022 ANU Commencement Address

Watch the recording of the ANU Commencement 2022 on the ANU TV YouTube channel.

Staff, returning students and ANU alumni are encouraged to come along to welcome new students. There is no dress code for this event but if you have an ANU shirt feel free to wear it on the day.

WHAT IS COMMENCEMENT?

Commencement is the formal induction for all new students at ANU. It's an opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers including our Vice-Chancellor, and student body representatives. This year's keynote will be delivered by Cabrogal woman Mikaela Jade, who founded Australia's first Indigenous edu-tech company, Indigital. The event will also feature a Welcome to Country from the traditional owners of the land on which we will meet. Hence, expect a fun event full of colour and excitement and the opportunity to get to meet some fantastic people.

To continue the festivities, all attendees are invited for a free BBQ lunch after the event on the University Avenue Lawns. As a part of the University's commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2025, we would appreciate if you could bring your own plate or container to reduce waste.

*Please note that this event is separate to the college induction sessions run by your college.

 WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

1. Register for the event

2. Ensure you arrive 15 mins early to secure seating with your friends

3. Scan through Check-in CBR upon arrival

4. Keep your ticket handy to grab a free BBQ lunch after the event

• Please note: The Canberra weather in February can be very hot, with high UV ratings. Please ensure you dress accordingly and come prepared with sunscreen and a water bottle.
• Accessible parking spaceswill be available in the car park outside the Research School of Chemistry should you require them.

WATCHING IT ONLINE?

We know the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges - and we're committed to keeping everyone healthy and safe, which is why if you can't join us, we will be sharing a streaming link via email, to all attendees who have registered.

SPEAKER BIOS

Liz Allen (Master of ceremonies) is a demographer, teaching research methods and researching population dynamics at the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods. Liz was named among the ABC Top 5 Humanities and Social Sciences academics in Australia in 2018. She is a regular media commentator for all things demography. Her book, The Future of Us (2020), is a call to action to build a stronger Australia through fairness and equality. 

Christian Flynn (he/him) is the Undergraduate Representative on ANU Council as well as the President of the ANU Students' Association in 2022. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) along with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in history. Previously, Christian was the ANUSA Vice President (2021), and the President of Wamburun Hall and Interhall Council Chair (both 2020). Christian is keen to advocate for residential hall students and improve student services integration in ANU's service provision.

Delephene Fraser is a Ngunnawal woman, the traditional owners of ACT and surrounding NSW areas. She has previously completed a Bachelor of Australian Politics & Public Policy in the Faculty of Business, Government and Law at the University of Canberra and is currently completing a Masters in Public Policy at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University. Research areas of interest include; Policies impacting First Nation Australians and representation in Australian parliament, First Nations feminist issues, Decolonisation and First Nation's Australian peoples work towards Self Determination. Delephene's passion for policy came from her experiences of observing policy being created on her country and wanting to be able to influence this process for First Nation Australians. 

Mikaela Jade is a Cabrogal woman of the Dharug-speaking nation of Sydney. Her company, Indigital, founded in 2014, is Australia's first Indigenous edu-tech company. Indigital is built on a belief that together we can use digital technologies - including virtual, augmented and mixed realities - to help preserve and proliferate 80,000 years of human knowledge while engaging First Nations peoples in education that leads to skills, jobs, and wealth creation to build a stronger future for all.

Indigital Schools, the company's flagship program, is an Elder-led, fully curriculum-integrated exploration of cultural expressions, heritage and knowledge.

Mikaela and her company have achieved several honours. In 2019 Mikaela addressed the United Nations in New York to demonstrate the impact of new technologies in Indigenous communities. In addition, Mikaela is a WEF Global Futures Council member, a delegate on the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and an Indigenous Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Wollongong. Mikaela joined Microsoft Australia's Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Board in 2018 and, in addition to completing a Master of Applied Cybernetics (with Commendation) at the Australian National University's School of Cybernetics, was included in The Australian's 100 Top Innovators List and recognised as the 2021 Indigenous Leader of the Year at the Women in Digital awards. Most recently, Mikaela was announced as one of 15 leaders to be awarded the Schwab Foundation 2022 Social Innovators of the Year award.

Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS is one of Australia's most eminent scientists. Winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics, alongside many other academic awards and distinctions, Professor Schmidt spent most of his academic career as an astrophysicist at the ANU Mount Stromlo Observatory and Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics before becoming Vice-Chancellor.

Brian makes a significant contribution to public debate through the media, and via his membership of bodies including the Prime Minister's National Science and Technology Council.

Brian received undergraduate degrees in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Arizona in 1989, and completed his Astronomy Master's degree (1992) and PhD (1993) at Harvard University. Under his leadership, in 1998, the High-Z Supernova Search team made the startling discovery that the expansion rate of the Universe is accelerating. Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, The United States Academy of Science, and the Royal Society, he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2013.

Please note: This is an in-person event and ACT Health recommends that masks are worn. To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that you are familiar with, and follow, the advice from ACT Health regarding COVID-19 exposures. If you do not feel well please refrain from attending the event and watch online.

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