Engineering Student Society Awards
Applications are now open!
Celebrating innovation, leadership, and excellence, these awards recognise outstanding contributions from our talented engineering students. Each year, student societies demonstrate exceptional creativity, teamwork, and dedication to their fields.
Categories include Societal Impact, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Community Outreach, Industry Collaboration, and Student Belonging. The diverse range of categories highlights the multitude of skills and passions within our engineering community.
Selection criteria for all awards are below, and all UNSW Engineering affiliated student societies may apply.Â
Winners will be announed at the Celebrating Society Leaders event on Tuesday 29 October.
Applications close 5pm, Monday 21 October.
Award Categories
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- Innovative solutions: The project/initiative should demonstrate creativity and originality in addressing societal challenges. This could include novel engineering approaches, technologies, or methodologies that offer tangible benefits to the community.
- Sustainability: The project/initiative should prioritise environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Consideration of long-term impacts and the ability to maintain benefits over time is essential.
- Community engagement: The project/initiative must actively involve the community it aims to serve. This could include collaboration with local organisations, stakeholder input, or efforts to educate and empower community members.
- Measurable impact: There should be clear metrics or indicators to assess the project’s effectiveness. This could involve quantitative measures (e.g., number of people participated) or qualitative assessments (e.g., community feedback).
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- Innovative initiatives: Projects should showcase creative approaches to promoting mental health and wellbeing among students. This could include workshops, support groups, awareness campaigns, or unique outreach activities that address mental health challenges.
- Inclusivity and accessibility: Initiatives must be designed to reach a diverse range of students, ensuring that they are inclusive and accessible to all.Â
- Engagement and participation: The project should actively involve students in its development and implementation. High levels of participation and engagement from the student body are critical for creating a sense of community and shared responsibility for mental wellbeing.
- Impact measurement: There should be clear mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness of the initiative. This could involve surveys, feedback forms, or other methods to assess changes in awareness, attitudes, or mental health outcomes among participants.
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- Relevance to high school students: Projects should directly address the interests and needs of high school students, particularly in areas related to engineering, STEM education, or career exploration. Initiatives could include workshops, mentorship programs, or hands-on engineering projects.
- Engagement and collaboration: The outreach initiative must actively involve high school students and potentially their teachers or schools. Collaborative efforts that foster meaningful connections between university students and high school participants are essential.
- Educational impact: The project should have a clear educational component, enhancing students' knowledge and skills in engineering or related fields. This could include developing curricula, providing resources, or creating learning experiences that inspire interest in STEM.
- Measurable outcomes: There should be clear metrics to evaluate the success of the outreach effort. This could involve pre- and post-program assessments, participant feedback, or tracking the number of students engaged to demonstrate the initiative’s impact.
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- Innovation and relevance: The project/s should demonstrate innovative solutions or approaches that address real-world challenges. The collaboration should be relevant to current industry needs and trends, showcasing engineering principles effectively.
- Mutual benefit: The collaboration must create value for both the student society and the industry partner. This includes benefits such as skill development for students, practical applications for industry, and potential pathways for future internships or job placements.
- Quality of engagement: The depth of interaction between the student society and the industry partner is crucial. This can involve regular communication, active participation in project development, and feedback mechanisms that ensure both parties are engaged throughout the collaboration.
- Impact and outcomes: The project should have measurable outcomes that demonstrate the impact of the collaboration. This could include successful project deliverables, improved processes, or tangible contributions to the industry partner’s goals.
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- Fostering inclusivity: The initiative should actively promote inclusivity and create a welcoming environment for all students.Â
- Community building activities: The project should include specific activities or programs designed to build a sense of community among students. This could involve social events, mentorship programs, or collaborative projects that encourage relationship-building and peer support.
- Student feedback and participation: The initiative should incorporate student input and feedback in its planning and execution. This can help ensure that the activities resonate with the student body and effectively address their needs for belonging.
- Impact on student wellbeing: The project should demonstrate a measurable positive impact on students’ sense of belonging and overall wellbeing. This could be assessed through surveys, participation rates, or testimonials from students about their experiences.
FAQs
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The awards are open to all UNSW Engineering affiliated student societies.
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Yes, you can apply for more than one award.
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There is no limit to the number of times you apply for an award. However, repeat nominations of the same project/initiative won’t influence entry or judging results.
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The winners will be announced at the Celebrating Society Leaders event on Tuesday 29 October.
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Winning student societies will be asked to send an invoice to the Faculty of Engineering and prize money will be transferred directly to the student society's bank account.