Dear Alumni,
As 2025 draws to a close, I am delighted to connect with you and share some of the remarkable ways La Trobe has continued to make an impact this year. Every achievement we celebrate – from advancing innovation to expanding access to education – is made possible by the dedication of our staff and students, and importantly, our alumni. The support and generosity of our alumni continue to elevate La Trobe’s success and extend our impact far beyond our campuses.
Connecting globally
This year, I have had the privilege of travelling and meeting alumni across the globe – from London to Singapore, learning firsthand about the experiences of our international cohort and exploring ways La Trobe can support their academic and professional journeys. We also deepened our global partnerships, welcoming a delegation from India’s Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre to campus to celebrate the next stage of our Bio Innovation Corridor – an initiative that facilitates collaboration between Indian biotech founders and start-ups with La Trobe researchers in Melbourne. These interactions are invaluable – they not only strengthen our global networks, they also inform our approach to creating world-class experiences for students from all backgrounds.
Take a look at some of the photos from our events here.
Celebrating excellence – Distinguished Alumni Awards
In 2025, we celebrated another inspiring cohort of Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, which included a pioneer of Australia's venture capital industry, a respected Aboriginal community leader, a health-tech innovator, a champion of regional multiculturalism, and an advocate for Singaporean nursing. These alumni exemplify the impact of a La Trobe education, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and service across diverse fields. Their stories highlight how alumni continue to shape communities, industries, and society at large, and reminds us that our graduates make extraordinary contributions around the world.
You can read more about the remarkable journeys and achievements of our distinguished alumni here.
Investing in regional communities
La Trobe continues to deepen its commitment to regional Victoria. This year saw the launch of our new Rural Dental and Oral Health Clinical School in Bendigo, addressing critical workforce shortages and providing opportunities for regional students to pursue careers in healthcare. Our Regional Pathways Program has also expanded, supporting 1,000 students to build confidence and successfully transition from secondary school to university. These programs are only possible thanks to the generosity of donors and the commitment of our staff – a testament to our collective impact when we invest in regional communities.
Pioneering the future – La Trobe’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan
La Trobe’s new strategy positions us as an AI-first university, driving innovation and preparing students for the future of work. Our Strategic Plan will see us lead in the fields that shape our future – Health, Science, and Education – while staying true to our founding mission to expand the life-changing opportunities of higher education. By integrating emerging technologies, including AI, into our teaching, research, and operations, we’re equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. The Strategy also reflects our enduring commitment to equity, inclusion, and community – ensuring that innovation benefits everyone.
Make Your Impact
Philanthropy continues to transform lives at La Trobe. Our Make Your Impact campaign aims to raise $200 million by 2027 to support scholarships, health innovation, and student opportunities. This year, we celebrated the generosity of our alumni, staff, and friends through initiatives including the Golden Lanyard Staff Giving Program, which raised $75,648 – and with the University matching every gift, an incredible $151,296. That’s enough to fund 10 additional scholarships in 2026, helping even more students realise their potential.
This year, we also launched our new Regional Access and Regional Achievement Scholarships that provide $7,000 a year to support students based in the regions. To amplify our impact, the University has committed up to $1 million in 2026 to match philanthropic donations dollar for dollar. We know this will have a big impact because our new scholarships have been designed to support access for mature-age students, single parents, and Indigenous people. We’re incredibly grateful to a very generous La Trobe supporter who has pledged $300,000 to kickstart the scholarship program. Every contribution – large or small – creates a tangible difference for those who might otherwise face barriers to higher education.
Driving health innovation
Health and biomedical innovation is another area where La Trobe is making national and global impact – from MOBIUS, our collaborative research hub developing point-of-use biosensors to the MINDSET project improving dementia assessments for non-English speakers. We’re also advancing discovery through cutting-edge technology, being the first Australian university to commission a NVIDIA DGX H200 supercomputer, which powers the Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation at La Trobe– accelerating breakthroughs in AI-driven healthcare. At the same time, we are supporting the next generation of health professionals through investments in simulation labs and training facilities across our campus network, equipping students with practical skills for careers in critical sectors, including regional and rural healthcare.
Excelling in education
Education is another cornerstone of La Trobe’s impact, where we are shaping the future of teaching and learning through evidence-based practice and community partnerships. Our Nexus program leads the way in employment-based teacher pathways, addressing workforce shortages and improving outcomes for students across Victoria. Meanwhile, the SOLAR Lab is transforming literacy education – helping more than 12,500 educators adopt explicit, evidence-based teaching methods that are improving reading outcomes across Victoria and New South Wales.
Looking ahead
These highlights from 2025 underscore just a few of the extraordinary activities happening across our campuses, and the collective impact of our alumni, students, staff, and supporters. Your engagement and generosity – and your own achievements – help drive the University’s mission: to deliver education, research, and innovation that benefit society at large.
I am inspired every day by the accomplishments of our alumni and the remarkable difference you make in your communities, your professions, and the world. As we move into 2026, I look forward to deepening these connections, celebrating your successes, and continuing to build a bold, inclusive, and transformative university at La Trobe.
I wish you and your families a safe and joyful festive season, and thank you for your ongoing support of La Trobe University.
With best wishes,
Professor Theo Farrell
Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University
