Chapter 2: Nurturing excellence

Our institution unites and serves those striving to change the world—and themselves—for the better. We continue to celebrate individuals who, through their dedication, have reshaped the academic landscape and humanity at large. We’re proud to say that in South Australian our University is having a global impact. 

A haven for great minds, over 150 years we have welcomed five Nobel Laureates, 14 knights, and over 110 Rhodes Scholars. Our researchers are restoring lost habitats, editing DNA to prevent cancer, and landing rovers on the moon. Our students are developing sustainable technologies and pioneering social enterprises. From democratic resilience to climate change mitigation and deep space exploration, we embrace challenges from every corner of society. We’ve built our reputation as a university that supports bold ideas. 

We directly nurture excellence through scholarships and special programs like the Open Music Academy and the Karnkanthi Indigenous Education Program. Our dedication to equal access allows everyone in our community to participate in learning and pursue their unique potential. 

Our University provides state-of-the-art facilities to empower individuals in their intellectual curiosity and critical thinking across an expansive range of fields. The Hickinbotham Roseworthy Wine Sciences Laboratory admitted its first Oenology students in 1936 and today supports the University’s global ranking in winemaking. With the merge of three reputable scientific curations, we now maintain a unique collection of plant, soil, insect, and other arthropod specimens that are accessible here for ongoing study and research. 

Celebrating both the profound and the personal, this chapter explores the stories of individuals and initiatives that exemplify the University’s commitment to excellence. As we commemorate these achievements, we celebrate the spirit of relentless inquiry and the passion for greatness that continues to drive our pursuit of a better world—and future.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Nurturing excellence. p.49