RMIT community comes together to celebrate the Class of 2025

RMIT community comes together to celebrate the Class of 2025

With Sneaky Sound System setting the scene and honorary degrees awarded to two outstanding leaders from the art and business communities, the 2025 RMIT Melbourne Graduation Ceremony was full of highlights.

Kicking off with a pre-party on campus, Bowen Street came alive with thousands of graduands in their gowns, enjoying photo-booths, live entertainment, food trucks and more in the lead up to the main event.

Then, as the afternoon sun set in, Marvel Stadium was buzzing to the opening chords of Sneaky Sound System, a performance that was the perfect mood-setter to mark the start of the 2025 Melbourne Graduation Ceremony for more than 10,500 graduands in the stadium.

A crowd of more than 50,000 family members, friends and educators joined the celebration, recognising students completing vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate and research qualifications across all colleges. Graduates represented more than 80 countries, with ages ranging from 17 to 79. 

celebrating RMIT graduates

Maree Clarke, a Boonwurrung, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti and Yorta Yorta artist whose four decades of work have revitalised southeast Australian Aboriginal cultural practices, received the Doctor of Arts honoris causa. 

Clarke said the honour reflected the strength of the communities she worked with and the importance of keeping culture alive for future generations.

"This recognition helps ensure that the next generation, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, understand the importance of respecting, valuing, and sustaining First Peoples’ knowledge systems," she said. 

Louise Adams, Aurecon CEO and a leading advocate for STEM capability and gender equality, received the Doctor of Business honoris causa. 

"Standing here today is a reminder of the power of disciplined optimism and the impact it can have on careers, communities and industries," Adams told graduates.

Maree Clarke (left) and Louise Adams (right) were awarded honorary doctorate. Maree Clarke (left) and Louise Adams (right) were awarded honorary doctorates.

Mechanical engineering graduate and student speaker James Anquetil reflected on the teamwork and resilience that shaped students’ time at RMIT, drawing on his experience as team lead of the RMIT Motorsport team.

"The race car might be made of metal and carbon fibre, but it is passion and teamwork that truly hold it together, just like the commitment that carried all of us to graduation," Anquetil said.

This year’s graduates will now join RMIT’s global network of more than half a million alumni following a ceremony that marked not only the completion of their studies, but the beginning of the next chapter for each of them, as they move forward to shape industries, communities and workplaces across Australia and beyond.

Check out the photo highlights of the day or watch the recording of the ceremony on YouTube. You can also learn more about some of our amazing graduates.

RMIT's graduating student ambassador James Anquetil RMIT's graduating student ambassador James Anquetil.
18 December 2025

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18 December 2025

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