Louise Adams recognised with honorary doctorate at 2025 graduation

Louise Adams recognised with honorary doctorate at 2025 graduation

RMIT has awarded Louise Adams, Aurecon Chief Executive Officer, the Doctor of Business honoris causa, acknowledging her leadership in engineering, gender equality and Australia’s partnership with Vietnam.

Adams was honoured at the University’s 2025 graduation ceremony, where she encouraged the more than 10,500 graduates to approach their careers with discipline, optimism and purpose.

Adams has built a distinguished career as an engineer and senior executive. She leads Aurecon’s international design, engineering and advisory operations and is a prominent advocate for equality in STEM, including through the Chief Executive Women leadership program.

Her contribution to strengthening ties between Australia and Vietnam has been central to her national roles. In 2024, she was appointed Australia’s Business Champion to Vietnam, building on work since 2021 to advance trade and investment between the two countries. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the ASEAN-Australia Centre and the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute.

Adams has been recognised across the sector with awards including Sir John Holland Australian Civil Engineer of the Year, Excellence in Engineering at the Women in Industry Awards, and Australian CEO of the Year.

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RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor College of Business and Law Professor Colin Picker said RMIT was proud to recognise Adams’ achievements with this honour.

"It is especially meaningful to celebrate someone like Louise whose life’s work naturally aligns with RMIT’s commitment to social impact and innovation. Louise has delivered this throughout her long-standing championing of equality in STEM that saw her become a global advocate for women in leadership long before she became Aurecon’s first female Chief Executive Officer," Professor Picker said.

Accepting the honour, Adams called the recognition a privilege for which she was deeply grateful. She reflected on the defining choices graduates will face, urging them to approach challenges with resolve and perspective.

"The world faces complex challenges and it is only by working together across industries, sectors and communities with an optimistic mindset that we will find the solutions that matter most. Much of my work as a Business Champion and in STEM leadership has been about building and strengthening connections and fostering partnerships that drive real change," said Adams. 

Adams encouraged graduates to back themselves as they enter a rapidly changing world and closed with a message of confidence in the next generation, emphasising the importance of curiosity, effort and continuous learning.

"Regardless of today, you show up again tomorrow," she said.

"Work hard. Never stop learning. And go and make your future impossible to ignore."

18 December 2025

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18 December 2025

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