Academics were recognised for an educational gaming platform that has transformed student learning.
UNSW Sydney has been awarded the nation's best 'Teaching and Learning Experience' at the 2025 Australian Financial Review (AFR) Higher Education Awards, for its innovative educational tool Play Platform. UNSW was also a finalist in the Emerging Leader category.
UNSW Business School Economics Professors Isabella Dobrescu and Alberto Motta - co-creators of Play Platform - said they were thrilled to be recognised by the AFR for their world-first learning tool. It integrates standard university course content into a high-end video game to make learning engaging and fun.
"Professor Motta and I believe learning is most effective when it's enjoyable, because enjoyment helps knowledge stick," Prof. Dobrescu said.
"As our first-year economics classes grew, we thought if we could make something truly immersive and relevant to real-life experiences, it would make the fundamentals of economics much more appealing."
Academically rigorous and lots of fun
Professors Dobrescu and Motta built their first gamified economics course in late 2014. It was so well received that by 2015 it was rolled out to more than 4000 students at three Australian universities.
Play Platform is now used in 11 courses across three faculties at UNSW, including Business (PlayConomics), Engineering (PlayEnergy) and Medicine & Health (PlayMed). It's been adopted by more than 50 high schools in Australia, China and Romania and universities across four countries, including Canada, Italy and Qatar.
In 2024, two randomised controlled trials on PlayConomics and PlayMed, published in top economic and medical journals respectively, demonstrated student learning gains from using the games were comparable to expensive interventions like reducing class sizes or intensive one-to-one tutoring.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs congratulated the team on their success.
"Play Platform is an outstanding example of UNSW's commitment to drive innovation and excellence in education," Prof Brungs said.
"Initiatives like this are emblematic of the new approaches to learning happening at universities. They provide exemplary tools and outcomes for our students and extend to teaching and learning beyond our gates, helping to advance knowledge and prosperity in the broader community."
Law professor recognised for leadership in international refugee law
UNSW Law & Justice academic Professor Ghezelbash was selected as a finalist in the Emerging Leadership category at the awards. The Director of UNSW Sydney's Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law , Prof. Ghezelbash is driving large, impactful initiatives that bring together universities, industry and community partners to transform how people interact with and experience the law.
The AFR Higher Education Awards are designed to highlight the tremendous contribution that the higher education sector makes to Australian prosperity and quality of life.
Find full coverage of the awards on the AFR website .
