Victoria University unveils finalists for prestigious 2025 Alumni Awards

Victoria University (VU) today announced the distinguished finalists for the 2025 Alumni Awards. These awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and significant contributions of VU graduates to the University, the community in the west of Melbourne, the nation, and the global stage.

We are immensely proud of their legacy and inspired by the profound impact they continue to make in their respective fields. These finalists exemplify the very best of the VU spirit.

The awards recognise excellence across several categories, highlighting the diverse paths to success that VU alumni embark upon.

Your vote counts: The People's Choice Award

All finalists are now eligible for the Spirit of VU Alumni Award, which is decided by public vote. The VU community and the public are invited to review the finalists' profiles and cast their vote online.

Voting closes on Friday, 17 October 2025.

Award ceremony

The winners of the 2025 Alumni Awards will be formally announced and celebrated at the Student Leadership and Alumni Awards ceremony on Thursday, 20 November 2025.

Lifetime Achievement Award finalists

Selba-Gondoza Luka OAM
Bachelor of Nursing, 2005
CEO, Afri-Aus Care Inc. 

Dr Raza Nowrozy
Doctor of Philosophy, 2024 
Honorary Adjunct Fellow, Victoria University 

Robert Borzillo
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, 1980
Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director, Intrax Consulting Group

Professional Achievement Award finalists

Aneel Khowaja
Graduate Certificate In Australian Migration Law and Practice, 2014 
CO-Founder, Think Higher

Lucy Byrne
Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Management, 2000 
Co-founder and Managing Director, Healthy Tasmania

Dr Adrian Doyle
Doctor of Philosophy, 2022 
Director, Blender Studios and Melbourne Street Tours

Firas Shawash
Master of Engineering (Building Fire Safety and Risk Engineering) 2008 
Associate Fire Engineer, MCD Fire Engineering 

Rising Star Award finalists

Katie Sandhu
Diploma of Sports Coaching, 2013
Bachelor of Sports Coaching, 2016  
Founder & Head Coach – Pendry’s Development Squad

Natalie Yoke Kei Loi
Bachelor of Business in International Trade & Marketing, 2020 
Founder and Chief Technology Officer, UnBound

Celil Kardaslar
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), 2018 
Lawyer & academic

Davor Daniloski
Doctor of Philosophy, 2024 
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The University of Queensland 

Devika Chaudhary
Diploma of Education Studies, 2018
Bachelor of Education (P-12), 2023 
Mathematics and Physics teacher, The University High School