Celebrating Excellence: 2025 UTS Faculty of Law Awards Ceremony

A key part of the ceremony was the presentation of the 2025 UTS Law Prizes, supported by our generous donors. These prizes recognised students who excel academically, demonstrate exceptional leadership, or make significant contributions to the community. The continued support of our sponsors ensures these achievements are meaningfully acknowledged and celebrated.  

See the full list of prize recipients via the UTS Law Award Recipients webpage. 
 
Recognising Academic and Professional Excellence 
Among the evening’s highlights was the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice Excellence Award, recognising students who demonstrated outstanding professional capability in the field of migration law. 
 
Recipients included

• Caique Bonfato Borges
• Fathi Yasin Hassan
• Thi Chinh Le
• Nitin Goswami
• Md Rafiqual Islam
• Uma Singh
• Wai Yee Lam
• Yuri Taznunoki.

These awards exemplify the faculty’s emphasis on practical, ethical and globally relevant legal education—preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions to the profession. 
 
Supporting Equity and Opportunity 
Scholarships presented on the night reflected UTS Law’s long-standing commitment to access, diversity and equity. 

Recipients included: 

• Ezekiel Solomon Scholarship – Kaitlyn Farquhar
• Law Diversity & Equity Scholarship – Ornella Fox
• Law Dean’s Scholarship – Oliver Webber
• Eric Dreikurs Scholarship – Alexandria Laso
• Law Equity Scholarship – Mustafa Khaldi
• Curtis Foundation Humanitarian Scholarships – Joshua Almazan and Jaquilyn Elim

Through these initiatives, UTS Law continues to ensure that talented students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive. 
 
Excellence in Teaching and Research 
The faculty also recognised outstanding contributions from academic and professional staff. 

Recipients included: 

• Lyndal Taylor & Emma Holt Teaching Award – Christine Giles
• Daniel Tirado Excellence in Teaching Award (Casual Academic) – Anne Arthur
• Team Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Student Experience – jointly awarded to the Faculty Operations Team and the International Mobility Team for their exceptional support of student wellbeing and engagement.

In the Faculty of Law Awards for Research Excellence (FLARE), researchers were celebrated for impactful work across multiple disciplines: 

• Excellence in Research Impact and Engagement – Associate Professor Allison Silink
• Early Career Researcher Excellence in Publication – Dr Lisa Billington
• Excellence in HDR Supervision – Professors Thalia Anthony, Theresa Libesman, and Joellen Riley Munton
• Excellence in Research Collaboration – Associate Professor Linda Steele
• First Place, 3MT Law Faculty Heats – Clare Colquhoun, “Access to Justice and Secure Care in NSW.”

Leadership and Community Impact 
 
The Brennan Justice and Leadership Awards celebrated students who demonstrated exceptional commitment to justice, leadership and pro bono service. Among the many recipients were Aiza Khan, Isabella Cavanagh, Leo Chau, Sarah Charlton Li, Ruby Cleary, and Nathan Politis, each embodying the faculty’s values of civic engagement and ethical practice. 

The First People’s Community Partnerships Award was presented to Professor Theresa Libesman for her leadership in advancing First Peoples’ self-determination in child protection and Indigenous legal reform — a body of work that continues to influence policy and practice across jurisdictions. 
 
A Night to Remember 
 
The 2025 Faculty of Law Awards Ceremony was a powerful celebration of the talent, integrity, and ambition that define the UTS Law community. From standout students to inspiring educators, each award reflected a shared commitment to justice, inclusion and excellence, values that continue to shape the faculty. The faculty extends its sincere thanks to all sponsors and donors, whose generous support brings community together and makes this celebration possible.