The University's digital infrastructure has been upgraded, increasing available bandwidth from 10Gbps to 100Gbps – up to 10 times more capacity to better manage peak demand.

This upgrade will directly support a more consistent and responsive online experience for students, particularly during peak teaching and assessment periods, and provides a stronger foundation for digital learning, research and collaboration across the University.

This week’s trivia question is:

How many students are currently enrolled at ANU?

Congratulations to our recent trivia winners, student Kuba Meikle and staff member Wei Lerr Wong. Please contact ANU Corporate Communications to collect your prize.

Last week's question and answer:

What is the name of the non-residential Hall in ANU. Answer: Griffin Hall.

Did you know? Griffin Hall originally ran as a pilot program in 2010, testing whether a non-residential hall model could work at ANU.

Nominations are now open for the 2027 ANU Alumni Awards, recognising alumni who are making a meaningful impact across professions, industries and communities in Australia and beyond.

Staff and students are encouraged to nominate and celebrate our alumni community, and those whose achievements reflect the University’s values and global influence.

Nominations close on Friday 31 July.

Big Night Out is an annual, music festival-style event run by the Interhall Arts Committee, taking place on the grass area between Willows Oval and the ANU Sport building.

Elevated noise levels on campus are expected during the following periods:

For further information, contact anuinterhallarts@gmail.com

Canberra-based company Liquid Instruments, founded on ANU research, has secured $70 million in investment to accelerate its AI-enabled technology for engineering systems. The platform is used globally and aims to simplify complex measurement tools, supporting advances in fields such as aerospace, defence and semiconductor manufacturing.

ANU is partnering with First Nations communities and government agencies on one of the first landscape-scale trials of cultural burning on travelling stock reserves in NSW. The project is exploring how Indigenous-led burning practices can support biodiversity, restore ecosystems and reduce bushfire risk.

ANU is creating a new student-led wellbeing space focused on connection, support and belonging and is looking for six students to help bring it to life. Join a Working Group to co-design how the space looks, feels and operates.

Submit a one-page expression of interest by Friday 8 May that outlines your interest and what you can contribute by email to: inclusive.communities@anu.edu.au

There's still time to have your say in shaping the ANU University Strategy.  

A range of facilitated sessions are available online and in person until Wednesday 13 May. There are targeted sessions for early career researchers and PhD candidates, digital humanities and social sciences, Indigenous issues, third space staff, data science and statistics, creative arts and humanities, and engaged research and impact.

Want something a little different? Stephen Dann is running a Lego Serious Play session – a hands-on and creative way to contribute your thinking.

View all sessions and register

The ANU+ Award program is growing, with ANU Sport, Inward Bound, Woroni and Barry’s Co-op at Wright Hall, now recognised as approved internal volunteer opportunity providers.

Volunteer contributions to these groups will count towards completing the ANU+ Award. From student committees to publications and community initiatives, there are plenty of ways to participate.

Explore the list of approved roles and start your ANU+ journey.

Nominations are now open for the following positions on the Board of Woroni (ANU Student Media):

Nominations open on Saturday 2 May and must be submitted to the Returning Officer, Richelle Hilton, via email at richelle.hilton@anu.edu.au before Thursday 14 May, 5pm.

All students will have the opportunity to vote in the nominee election between 25–29 May.

ANU has signed the Nature Positive Pledge, joining a global network of universities committed to starting a nature positive journey.

As part of this pledge, ANU is conducting a biodiversity baseline assessment of its campuses and establishing a Biodiversity Advisory Group, bringing together ANU experts, professional staff and students. This baseline will inform the development of biodiversity targets and action plans suited to ANU, with progress reported annually.

Council advises that Ms Alison Kitchen AM has resigned from Council on 25 April 2025.

Ms Kitchen has made a significant contribution to the University, initially as a member of the ANU Foundation Board and from 2021 as a member of Council.

During her tenure, she undertook a number of key roles, including serving as Pro-Chancellor and as chair and member of several committees, most recently as Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee.

Council expresses its appreciation to Ms Kitchen for her commitment and professionalism in carrying out her roles.

Ms Ewelina Przybyszewski has been elected as the Professional Staff member of Council, succeeding Mrs Megan Easton, with her two-year term commencing on 26 May 2026.

Council thanks Mrs Easton for her two years of dedicated service and commitment to representing professional staff and supporting the work of the University’s Council.

Earlier this week, staff and students received updates from the Pro-Chancellor, Dr Larry Marshall, about the Council's search for a new Chancellor, following the conclusion of the current Chancellor’s term at the end of 2026.

The Pro-Chancellor is currently undertaking a range of stakeholder engagements which will be used to shape further consultation with the ANU community. A dedicated webpage, with information about the search process and ways for staff and students to contribute, will be available in the coming weeks.

Over 60 of you attended the observer session at Council last week and we appreciated your participation. We look forward to the next session Friday 12 June.

Saturday 2 May, 11.30am–8pm

Teams of four will design, build and pitch an AI-powered product from scratch in eight hours. Every participant receives six months of Claude Pro and Claude API credits to build with on the day. The top three teams will share $1,200 worth of Claude credits, courtesy of Claude.

Monday 4 May – Sunday 10 May

This year’s Privacy Awareness Week theme is Trust is built here. In every privacy complaint. In every resolution and is an annual initiative that promotes awareness of privacy rights and responsibilities and the importance of protecting personal information.

Monday 4 May, 5–6pm

The ANU School of Music is pleased to welcome two-time ARIA Award winner, Dr Lachlan Goold, for a public conversation on music production and practice.

Friday 22 May – Sunday 24 May

Sign On Screen is a rare opportunity for those working in the Australian screen industry to network and build bridges with deaf and hard of hearing key creatives.

Caitlin Vincent in conversation with Helen Musa

Thursday 7 May, 6–7pm

Annastacia Palaszczuk in conversation with Dr Jill Sheppard

Wednesday 13 May, 6–7pm 

With the weather cooling down, now is the perfect time to explore Canberra’s best hiking trails. From quick treks to long bushland adventures, there’s a vast array of options for you to trek.

Mount Ainslie is one of Canberra’s most popular hikes, being short, steep and worth the view over the city. If you are after something city based, the Bridge to Bridge Loop around Lake Burley Griffin is flat and ideal for a casual walk.  

Checkout All Trails’ Best trails in Canberra.

As part of a carefully managed deaccession process, a unique selection of furniture from the ANU Design Unit Furniture Collection will be offered for public sale.

Saturday 2 May and Sunday 3 May

10am–12pm
Viewing of items for sale. Card payments only.

12.30–3pm
Pick up.

1/5 Callan Street, Mitchell

Only the collection’s surplus items have been selected. This is a rare chance to take home a piece of University history. All pieces will be sold as-is.

Help is available if you need it. If you are dealing with a personal or university-related issue, ANU encourages you to seek support through the Student Safety and Wellbeing team by emailing student.wellbeing@anu.edu.au or calling 02 6125 2211, Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm.

You can also visit our Urgent Support page for a list of 24/7 and crisis support options.

For life threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialing from an internal phone), then call ANU Security at (02) 6125 2249