Next Generation Learning & Skills category

Griffith University’s Community Internship course is a cross-disciplinary, inclusive learning experience that enables students to undertake real-world volunteering with not-for-profit organisations while embedding sustainability, social justice, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into academic learning. Each year, over 300 students complete at least 50 hours (undergraduate) or 80 hours (postgraduate) of service across a diverse range of sectors, including aged care and disability support, community development and social services, environmental conservation, health and human services, legal and government sectors, youth work and education, media and communications, and food security.

The course is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students regardless of GPA, and includes remote, hybrid, and flexible placement models to ensure accessibility. Supported by more than 300 community partners, the initiative builds employability, cultural competence, and ethical leadership while addressing community needs. It is a flagship program within Griffith’s Social Impact suite and a scalable model for values-driven work-integrated learning in higher education.

Griffith University community internship participants

Impacts and Social Benefits

  • Over 1,600 students since 2021 have contributed thousands of service hours to under-resourced organisations, enhancing community service delivery and social resilience.
  • The program builds future-ready skills including leadership, critical reflection, communication, and ethical decision-making in diverse, real-world contexts.
  • It fosters lasting community-university partnerships, catalyses student-led social impact initiatives, and contributes to students’ confidence, mental wellbeing, and career pathways.

 

Leadership and Engagement

  • The initiative is coordinated by a multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional staff, supported by Griffith’s Careers, Equity, and Disability Services teams.
  • More than 300 not-for-profit and public sector organisations across Australia and internationally provide placements, mentoring, and resources, co-creating meaningful learning experiences.
  • The model supports reconciliation and social justice through placements with First Peoples organisations and tailored accessibility support for diverse student cohorts.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Promotes active citizenship and intercultural understanding through service learning with refugee, Indigenous, and environmental organisations.
  • Enhances social capital and sector capacity by embedding student volunteers into community organisations that address systemic disadvantage.
  • Prepares graduates to lead social and environmental change across sectors by integrating the SDGs into practice-based education.
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Top 3 learnings

  • Strengthened commitment to social justice through real-world, community-based project implementation.
  • Used the UN SDGs as a guide to design impactful, globally relevant community solutions.
  • Developed key professional and personal skills while contributing meaningfully to local and global community outcomes.

Supported by

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Category finalists

2023 winners

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Top 3 learnings

  • Strengthened commitment to social justice through real-world, community-based project implementation.
  • Used the UN SDGs as a guide to design impactful, globally relevant community solutions.
  • Developed key professional and personal skills while contributing meaningfully to local and global community outcomes.
Next Generation Learning & Skills category

Griffith University’s Community Internship course is a cross-disciplinary, inclusive learning experience that enables students to undertake real-world volunteering with not-for-profit organisations while embedding sustainability, social justice, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into academic learning. Each year, over 300 students complete at least 50 hours (undergraduate) or 80 hours (postgraduate) of service across a diverse range of sectors, including aged care and disability support, community development and social services, environmental conservation, health and human services, legal and government sectors, youth work and education, media and communications, and food security.

The course is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students regardless of GPA, and includes remote, hybrid, and flexible placement models to ensure accessibility. Supported by more than 300 community partners, the initiative builds employability, cultural competence, and ethical leadership while addressing community needs. It is a flagship program within Griffith’s Social Impact suite and a scalable model for values-driven work-integrated learning in higher education.

Griffith University community internship participants

Impacts and Social Benefits

  • Over 1,600 students since 2021 have contributed thousands of service hours to under-resourced organisations, enhancing community service delivery and social resilience.
  • The program builds future-ready skills including leadership, critical reflection, communication, and ethical decision-making in diverse, real-world contexts.
  • It fosters lasting community-university partnerships, catalyses student-led social impact initiatives, and contributes to students’ confidence, mental wellbeing, and career pathways.

 

Leadership and Engagement

  • The initiative is coordinated by a multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional staff, supported by Griffith’s Careers, Equity, and Disability Services teams.
  • More than 300 not-for-profit and public sector organisations across Australia and internationally provide placements, mentoring, and resources, co-creating meaningful learning experiences.
  • The model supports reconciliation and social justice through placements with First Peoples organisations and tailored accessibility support for diverse student cohorts.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Promotes active citizenship and intercultural understanding through service learning with refugee, Indigenous, and environmental organisations.
  • Enhances social capital and sector capacity by embedding student volunteers into community organisations that address systemic disadvantage.
  • Prepares graduates to lead social and environmental change across sectors by integrating the SDGs into practice-based education.

Supported by

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Related finalists

Other finalists

  • Climate Action

    Driving Towards Tomorrow’s Campus with Vehicle-to-Grid EV Technology

    As part of Flinders University’s drive to innovate and become a leader in climate action, the University launched its Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) initiative. This involved installing and maintaining 20x V2G and smart chargers for its growing electric vehicle fleet. Leveraging 100% renewable energy generated by ENGIE’s Willogoleche Wind Farm and Flinders University’s solar power systems, this enables the storage of renewable energy in EV batteries to be discharged on campus during peak demand periods. Hence, allows for these EV fleets to operate as a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to deliver peak demand management and optimization of behind-the-meter generation.

    Overall, this initiative demonstrates the reliability and scalability of bi-directional and uni-directional smart-charging systems for EVs in reducing GHG emissions while facilitating teaching, research, and innovation opportunities. Moreover, it exemplifies a sustainable and innovative solution to scale energy storage technology and increase renewables.

  • Sustainability Champion – Staff/Winners

    Brandan Espe

    Environmental Officer / Acting Grounds Supervisor

    Brandan has brought over 50 federally listed Endangered species of plant into the James Cook University living collection, many of which have never been cultivated and are found in no other collection in the world.

    Of these, over half have been sustainably wild collected, inclusive of field and clone data, so they can be used for ongoing conservation, research and teaching, the remaining being sourced from private and partner organisations through favours of service or trades.

    He personally funded the project from 2019-2022, until funding was awarded for the program due to its success, with the program now being engrained into the Universities landscapes for ongoing management should he leave JCU, creating a threatened species legacy collection.

    The program has now expanded beyond this, with an additional 48 species now funded for further addition, some of which are only known from less than 5 sightings in history.

  • Student Engagement

    Two women standing in front of a table at an event.

    Sustainability Leaders creating real impact!

    La Trobe created a unique Sustainability Leaders volunteering program to increase engagement with students on campus and empower them to act against waste and promote sustainability. It included the following initiatives:

    • Promoting the reusable crockery implementation,
    • Increasing knowledge action of other students on campus to diversion comingled recycling and organic waste from landfill.
    • Focus on waste audits and data,
    • Improved signage through new waste posters for students living on campus.
    • Collaboration with Cirka (our cleaning and waste partner) to create a waste wall and;
    • Learning all things sustainability (net zero, biodiversity, waste, reusables, engagement)

    These initiatives yielded significant results and with a reduction in waste contamination by almost 40% at the residential buildings and engagement with over 80 groups of people for the Reusable Revolution.

  • Creating Impact

    Where knowledge meets habits: Empowering students for a sustainable tomorrow

    Our online Sustainability Challenges offer participants an engaging, self-paced learning experience centered around a specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG). Requiring minimal resourcing and at zero-cost to participants, we’ve created replicable, compact, scalable, and impactful learning opportunities that result in real impact.

    The Challenges follow a structured process that moves participants from knowledge gain to simple action to celebration, to establish small but mighty habits relating to waste and carbon emissions. This approach recognises that knowledge alone is often insufficient to drive behaviour change, and that ease of action and celebration are crucial components in creating sustainable habits.

  • Sustainability Champion – Staff/Winners

    Catherine (CeeJay) Donovan

    Veterinary nurse – Anaesthesia

    From establishing the Massey Vet School Green Team to leading impactful initiatives, my commitment to environmental sustainability has been making waves. With the help of my team, I have accomplished numerous small, yet meaningful actions, including integrating a sustainability lecture for final year vet students and implementing battery recycling alongside rechargeable battery use. Our larger projects encompass the introduction of green waste and soft plastics recycling bins, an energy audit resulting in power-saving measures, and playing a part in a successful rubbish audit. I spearheaded the ‘6 in 6’ campaign, empowering individuals with six simple steps for workplace sustainability. Through the SustainaVet social media pages I help to educate and inspire peers nationwide. As the Massey School of Veterinary Science sustainability champion, I had the privilege of speaking at the annual veterinary conference on sustainability in clinical practice. Currently I’m conducting pioneering research on responsible cat waste disposal. Together, we’re forging a greener future, one initiative at a time.

  • Sustainability Champion – Student

    Louis Walmsley

    SDG Coordinator Monash Association of Sustainability, Office Bearer Monash Student Association’s Environmental and Social Justice Department, Masters of Environment and Sustainability Student

    Louis is an exceptional student sustainability leader at Monash University. His passion and dedication to sustainability have made a significant impact on the community. Louis’s values revolve around sustainability, which is evident upon meeting him. He actively participates in various sustainability groups, demonstrating his commitment to creating a more environmentally conscious society.

    One of Louis’s notable involvements is with Precious Plastic Monash, where he organizes remarkable events and fosters collaboration among like-minded individuals, student groups, and staff. His contributions to the Monash Association of Sustainability have allowed him to conduct valuable research on plastic usage and climate action, resulting in positive changes within the university.

    Through his work with the Monash Student Association, Louis has engaged hundreds of students in fun and interactive sustainability initiatives. He took the initiative to organize a sustainability food fair, which was one of the largest sustainability-related events held at Monash post-COVID. This accomplishment is a true testament to Louis’s hard work and creativity.

    Louis is an outstanding student leader whose efforts in sustainability have had a lasting impact on Monash University and its community. His inspiring nature resonates with everyone who knows him.