50 years, countless journeys: celebrating Deakin’s global and alumni success

In 2025, Deakin University, Australia, proudly celebrated five decades of innovation, ambition, and community. From humble beginnings in a Geelong paddock in 1974 to six state-of-the-art campuses and pioneering international campus expansion into India and Indonesia, Deakin has built a legacy on the belief that wonderful possibility begins with education.

Across Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and beyond, Deakin marked this milestone with a series of ‘Friends of Deakin’ events celebrating 50 years of impact and excellence.

Captured especially for the anniversary, this video powerfully explores Deakin’s unique educational philosophy and commitment to excellence.

Stories of confidence, connection, and home

At the Friends of Deakin Singapore event hosted on 30 June at the Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, alumni from different graduating years reflected on how their Deakin education opened doors and inspired belonging. Attendee Humairah, who graduated from Deakin in 2014 with a Master of Dietetics, shared of her experience, ‘Graduating with a degree from Deakin University gave me the confidence and the credibility to find a job when I came back to Singapore.’

For many, studying overseas meant stepping outside their comfort zones. Jenny, a Master of Architecture Deakin alumna, recalled: ‘Being a Singaporean student overseas for the first time on my own – I went there [to Australia] alone, I took the plane alone. But when I went to the university [Deakin], it really felt like home. From day one, it was like, family.’

Jenny also described the unique and lasting inspiration she found at the Geelong Waterfront Campus: ‘I found that the Waterfront Campus being where it is, facing water, you had the beach, the sun. It was just something very different from home or even in Sydney. If you are investing so much for your degree, having a good campus and environment to inspire you to be creative in what you do is vital. Having a good campus is vital.’

‘But when I went to the university [Deakin], it really felt like home. From day one, it was like, family.’

Celebrations of partnership

In Kuala Lumpur, the Friends of Deakin Malaysia gathering was hosted at the Australian High Commission coinciding with 70 years of Australia–Malaysia diplomatic relations, an enduring partnership strengthened by education.

The event was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke, alongside alumni, industry leaders, partners, and students. Ms Susan Ang, Deakin Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Built Environment, joined attendees including three current students and interns from JMD Consulting Sdn Bhd/The Global Student, with their Director and Deakin alumna, Ms Jan Drew.

Honouring the past and shaping the future

Vietnam’s future-focused celebrations carried across two special events. At the ‘Future 50 Thought Leadership Series’ hosted on 2 July in Ho Chi Minh City, global experts explored how technology offers solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

Speaking to the room full of friends of Deakin – plus esteemed guests Sarah Hooper, Australian Consulate-General Ho Chi Minh City; Austrade Vietnam Trade and Investment Commissioner, Jonathan Saw; and Chau Ngo, VGTI Vietnam Education Director – Deakin academics Professor Truyen Tran, Head of AI, Health and Science and Professor Robin Doss, Deakin’s Director of Cyber Research and Innovation shared insights on how technology can solve pressing challenges.

This commitment to innovation reflects alumni memories. At Singapore’s anniversary event, alumna Jenny recalled memories of her time studying at Deakin in 1997: ‘When I was studying, I remember they [Deakin] were already way ahead in technology, even then sustainability was a big thing. And that was even before it was a big thing in Singapore – in Singapore I only noticed sustainability. So, they [Singapore] took cognisance [of Deakin’s innovation] and they implemented that in Singapore.’

The following evening’s Appreciation Event in Saigon honoured decades of impact Deakin graduates have made in Vietnam. The pride in the room matched the sentiment shared at Deakin’s Singapore anniversary celebration by 2014 Master of Dietetics graduate, Magan: ‘Being able to go overseas to study is a huge privilege that not a lot of people will experience, and being able to go to a University of my first choice, and enrol in the program that I wanted is something that I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.’

One community, countless possibilities

Members of Deakin’s leadership team delivered an address at each event, with Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin, and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (International), John Molony, reflecting proudly on Deakin’s legacy and five decades of wonderful alumni achievements.

Deakin’s global reputation was easily recognised across every celebration, summarised perfectly in Singaporean alumna, Jenny’s testimonial: ‘When people know that you are from Deakin [they say], “Oh, you are very good at technology.” As a fresh grad, that really helped me.’

This sentiment was echoed by alumna, Magan who shared, ‘When people know that I’m from Deakin, it lends credibility. It was definitely one of the factors that helped me secure my first role in Singapore,’ illustrating how Deakin degrees open doors across borders and industries.

Deakin’s past, present and future are defined by challenging the status quo, embracing innovation and giving graduates the skills, confidence and credibility to succeed anywhere.

These events are a testament to this, celebrating Deakin’s history and the University’s global ability to build careers, drive wonderful possibilities, and grow international networks spanning industries and nations.

Wherever you are in the world, your journey can start here. Find out how you can join a global community and shape the next 50 years of change.