History Happens Here
At the 成人大片, we鈥檝e made a habit of breaking new ground. We were our state鈥檚 first university. The first in Australia to admit women to all our degree courses on an equal basis to men.听The first to offer degrees in science and business. And the first to establish a conservatorium of music.
In recent times, that spirit of innovation has only grown stronger. For example:
- we were one of only three universities in the world to be involved in each of the following major scientific discoveries: gravitational waves; the Higgs boson elementary particle; and a celestial source of high-energy neutrinos
- we鈥檙e currently co-leading creation of the world鈥檚 first definitive legal text on conflict in space
- our photonics and advanced sensing researchers have created the world鈥檚 most precise timepiece, known as the Sapphire Clock
- in each of the past two years, we鈥檝e had a young researcher recognised in MIT Technology Review鈥檚 prestigious Innovators Under 35 list for the Asia Pacific; we were the only Australian university represented in 2020, and in 2019 we were one of just two.
By making history we shape the future. And we鈥檝e only just begun.
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The 成人大片 was founded in 1874 with two complementary goals: to prepare new generations of leaders who were distinguished and shaped by education, not birth or wealth; and to challenge societal norms that hindered progress or reinforced inequality. We soon succeeded.
- 1881: First Australian university to admit women to all our degree courses on an equal basis to men.听
- 1882: First Australian university to offer science degrees.
- 1900: First Australian university to establish a music conservatorium, Chair of Music, and Doctor of Music postgraduate qualification.
- 1902: First Australian university to offer tertiary education in business.
Developing generations of history makers
Our alumni have also embodied our spirit of history making. We proudly count among them:
- five Nobel Laureates, accounting for almost a third of Australia鈥檚 16 total recipients
- over 100 Rhodes Scholars, including our country鈥檚 first Indigenous Australian recipient
- one of Australia鈥檚 most revered Antarctic explorers, Sir Douglas Mawson, OBE, who was a Professor of Geology and Mineralogy here for 31 years
- Australia鈥檚 first female prime minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard, AC
- professional astronaut and first Australian to walk in space, Andy Thomas, AO.
Another of our alumni, the remarkable Dame Roma Mitchell, AC, DBE, CVO, QC became Australia鈥檚 first female Queen's Counsel, Supreme Court judge, university chancellor and state governor.
The 成人大片 Library's听Special Collections and Archives听preserves the historical records of the University from the time of its establishment. If you would like to access the records, please contact the听University Library Special Collections team听for assistance.