Our people, places and stories
For 80 years ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ National University (ANU) has been a living community where students, staff and visitors live, learn, work and belong together. The everyday exchange of ideas across disciplines, cultures and lived experience makes the University a place where Australia's future is imagined, tested and shaped, and it’s been doing this for eight decades. What better time than now to celebrate the people, places and stories that make us proud.
Our Stories
Featured
Bringing Fred Ward’s designs back home to University House
As University House prepares to reopen in August, the original mid-century Fred Ward pieces are returning.
Our People
ANU has been more than a university to me — it's where I studied, gained my first professional experience, and built a career. My journey has come full circle, and I'm proud my work now helps improve teaching and learning here.
After Canberra's cold winter, brilliant yellow blossoms burstinto life against the School of Computing — a reminder that nature still enriches even our tech-focused campus.
ANU brings together people driven by curiosity and a genuine desire to make a difference. As Australia's national university celebrates 80 years, I'm proud to contribute, even in a small way, to its enduring legacy of research and impact.
This headshot reflects the confidence, friendships and sense of purpose ANU gave me — I'm proud to celebrate its 80-year legacy.
As ANU celebrates its 80th anniversary, I'm proud to reflect on four generations of Swans shaped by this University — from my grandfather's appointment as Foundation Professor in 1950, to my son Mathew, now a fourth-generation ANU student.
My grandfather, Professor Trevor Swan, at his desk in 1950 as ANU's Foundation Professor of Economics — later one of Australia's most distinguished economists.
I love that ANU is in the Bush Capital, and the community shares a love for our natural campus and caring for Country. I am proud of our commitment to the national public interest, the amazing research nurtured, and the kind people in this community.
An Australian wood duckling on campus — watching them grow each season, and seeing passersby admire them, brings me joy.
Founded in 1946, ANU carries decades of academic heritage and global reputation, bringing together talented scholars worldwide. Beyond rigorous learning, casual events like the Doughnut Exchange let students connect naturally — I feel honoured to be part of this inclusive community
A commemorative doughnut from ANU's 80th anniversary Doughnut Exchange — my first taste of belonging to this lively community.
The ANU community brings together the best and brightest from around the world, tackling some of humanity's toughest questions. Full of passionate, incredible people, ANU has challenged me in ways I can't fully articulate — I'm forever indebted to it.
I took this photo at Burgmann College where I spent 3 years of my time at the ANU.
ANU genuinely supports its students, academically and personally — I feel heard and cared for. The campus is beautiful, green and full of wildlife, and combined with the University's academic prestige, that makes being part of this community genuinely motivating and I'm proud to be a part of it.
Moving from China to Australia was a big change, but ANU's welcoming, diverse community has helped me grow academically and personally. I'm proud of its values of respect, inclusion and integrity, which inspire me to support others and keep improving myself.
Graduating on campus as an international student — a moment of independence, resilience and belonging, supported by the ANU community.
I am proud to be surrounded by innovative minds who will undoubtedly make an impact and bring about positive change in their communities, the country, and the world.
Tuckwell Scholarship's 10-year Gala Dinner — founders Drs Graham and Louise Tuckwell AO joining Scholars to cut the cake.
It's a unique community that brings diverse people and perspectives together across generations, connecting bold ideas to real-life experiences, extending the edges of knowledge, and discovering the profound commonality within our diversity.
This image captures four generations of scholars from diverse backgrounds, united in advancing new ways to understand migrant experiences through an intercultural lens.
I'm proud to be part of the ANU community because it brings together people, knowledge and cultures from around the world. It's encouraged me to explore new ideas and become more curious, independent and open-minded, thanks to the teachers, classmates and campus spaces.
As a Digital Humanities student, this miniature Roman city reminds me that learning at ANU often begins with curiosity.
I'm proud to be part of the ANU community because of the incredible events that bring people together—from big celebrations to the joy (and chaos!) of graduation day, handing out ducks to the next generation of alumni.
We powered through two weeks of scorching heat as one team—big effort, great spirit, and we got it done together!