Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... Newsroom
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... 2022
  4. arrow_forward_ios 09
  5. arrow_forward_ios UTS Civil Engineering students recognised by peak bodies

UTS Civil Engineering students recognised by peak bodies

6 September 2022

Three students have been recognised for their research on geosynthetics, rail infrastructure and rail systems by two of the sector’s key peak bodies.

Students honoured for their research excellence

UTS graduate Michael Bourke and Dr Kasun Wijayaratna

UTS graduate Michael Bourke and Dr Kasun Wijayaratna at the Engineers Australia Awards event 2022

Joseph Arivalagan and Chathuri Arachchige received recognition in the 2022 Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) NSW Research Competition and Michael Bourke was commended by Engineers Australia (EA) in the 2022 Engineering Student of the Year Award, Sydney division.

The AGS NSW Research Award showcases the research of students from NSW universities with the geotechnical community. Submissions were assessed by a review panel consisting of three academics and two committee members. To be selected, Chathuri and Joseph provided a written report of their research followed by a special presentation at a AGS technical meeting. The successful recipients were announced at the AGS Award Night on 13 July. 

The exciting news continued on with the announcement of the Engineering Student of the Year Award in August. The peak Australian accrediting body, Engineers Australia, invited engineers and engineering students to submit research projects that “inspire and encourage engineering distinction through teamwork, innovation and technical excellence”.  CEE graduate Michael Bourke received a Highly Commended Award for his thesis which was awarded second place out of over 100 entries.  

The students’ research papers were:

  • Mr Joseph Arivalagan (AGS NSW Research Winner) – “Effectiveness of geosynthetics in preventing subgrade instability and fluidization under cyclic loading”
  • Ms Chathuri Arachchige (AGS NSW Research Finalist) – “Use of Rubber Intermixed Ballast Stratum (RIBS) for Enhanced Longevity of Rail Infrastructure”
  • Mr Michael Bourke (EA Student of the Year Highly Commended Award) – “The White Triangle: A path towards efficient and integrated light rail systems”

The school congratulates Joseph, Chathuri and Michael on their awards and for their significant efforts to produce high-quality research that will contribute to the future of the civil engineering industry.

Share
Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on LinkedIn
Back to News in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Related News

  • Flags of the Indo-Pacific countries are raised alongside one another against a pale blue sky.
    UTS students retake the global stage in the Indo-Pacific

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility