UNSW technology and innovation projects as diverse as a learning companion for students, ceramics made from waste materials and 3D-printed marine reefs have excelled in Australia's leading design awards for 2026.
A range of UNSW programs and projects won awards at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards Ceremony in Sydney last week. The internationally recognised awards celebrate excellence in design, innovation and impact.
The UNSW Academic Success Monitor (ASM), a tool that identifies students at risk of academic failure and connects them with the right support, won a Gold Award in the Service Design Education Services category.
ASM is a monitoring tool powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, designed to identify, support and empower students at risk of academic failure or facing challenges. The tool combines predictive analytics, AI outreach and human expertise to transform student support from reactive case management to proactive intervention at scale.
The jury for the awards was particularly impressed by the measurable impact across 65,000 students, with a statistically significant reduction of approximately 500 failures annually, and the proactive approach to supporting vulnerable student cohorts.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education & Student Experience, Professor Sarah Maddison said the ASM program richly deserved the award.
"It is fantastic that the ASM won a Gold Good Designs Award presented under the theme 'Design that Leads' which celebrates the critical role of design in navigating complexity, driving innovation and creating lasting positive change," said Professor Maddison.
"The impactful initiative is a great example of how the University is living its values and mission of driving innovation, building collaboration and advancing progress for all. We're excited to see how the ASM can be expanded to support student success in whatever way students define 'success'."
The ASM project was developed by UNSW, led by former Director, Educational Innovation, PVCE, Professor Simon McIntyre, and was co-designed with input from students, staff, IT teams and legal colleagues. External firm Sandbox supported the service design and Microsoft collaborated on the project.
Prof. McIntyre said it was wonderful to see the ASM honoured with Gold, particularly given the awards' long history of recognising outstanding Australian design.
"What makes ASM special is how we have brought technology and human expertise together to rethink how universities support student success and wellbeing, with an impact that is both measurable and deeply meaningful," said Prof. McIntyre.
"The Gold award is another wonderful acknowledgement of what can be achieved when innovation, thoughtful design, and a shared commitment to students come together."
A UNSW student shared the benefits of the program: "The information provided by the ASM gives me peace of mind regarding my performance, or at least lets me know if I should be performing better, which is often harder to figure out otherwise."
