Prestige and tradition: What can you learn from a university’s 150-year history?

The older the university, the greater the scope of its alumni network. Over 150 years, the University of Adelaide has educated some of the brightest minds across various fields and you could be next. 

Having the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one of her heroes was a key factor in Dr Sarah Cannard’s decision to apply to the University of Adelaide: “It was an easy decision to study at the University of Adelaide because Andy Thomas, Australia’s first member of NASA’s elite astronaut corps, went there. I was following in the footsteps of one of my heroes.” 

Since graduating, Dr Cannard has been working in her dream job, as a lead engineer in a team working to send a rover to the moon: “Funnily enough, I now work right across the road from the University of Adelaide – at the SmartSat CRC headquarters and next to the Australians Space Agency at Lot Fourteen.  

“There are so many possibilities for the future of the growing Australian space sector and I’m very fortunate to be able to do the work I love, in a city I love.” 

Dr Cannard is one of over 160,000 University of Adelaide alumni with an incredible story to tell and several of these case studies can be found on the university website as part of the anniversary celebrations. 

To mark its 150th anniversary, the University of Adelaide has introduced a new tradition – Kaurna Day. This is an opportunity for the university to acknowledging the Kaurna Nation's history, culture, and enduring connection to the land upon which the university stands and operates. 

Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide, said: "2024 is the university’s milestone 150th year, but the history of the land on which our campuses are located, and the connection of the traditional Kaurna custodians to place is much, much older.” 

One of the indigenous peoples of Australia, the Kaurna Nation’s connection with the university spans decades. Looking ahead, the university envisions an enduring contribution to the Kaurna people, collaborating with them on reclaiming and revitalising the endangered Kaurna language, Kaurna Warra.  

The free event consisted of a day of cultural immersion, storytelling, and shared learning for attendees, with performances by First Nations artists from the Centre of Aboriginal Studies in Music, traditional games and cultural workshops. 

Many more events are planned to mark the 150th anniversary, both reflecting on the university’s history and celebrating the possibilities for the future. More information about these events can be found on the University of Adelaide website. 

Image credits: University of Adelaide