Celebrating our latest PhD graduates

Celebrating our latest PhD graduates

Over 70 PhD candidates graduated at this week’s Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony.

We celebrated the remarkable achievements of our latest PhD graduates this week, with 73 candidates officially becoming PhDs at the 2026 Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony. 

Graduates gathered at RMIT's City campus with RMIT Chancellor Peggy O’Neil AO, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Alec Cameron, members of the RMIT Council, distinguished guests, staff, family and friends to formally acknowledge their years of dedication and hard work. 

From China to Sri Lanka, graduates represented 14 different countries, many with guests flying in from across the world to see their loved ones be conferred. 

Graduates spanned multiple generations, with the youngest graduate aged 26 years old and the oldest 68 years old.

In addition to those at the ceremony, 48 PhD students graduated in absentia between January and May 2026.

HDR graduation ceremony

Each year, honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the wider community. At this week’s ceremony, honorary doctorates were awarded to three exceptional individuals.

Selba-Gondoza Luka OAM was awarded an honorary Doctor of Social Science for her work as a widely respected community leader, mental health clinician, and founder of Afri-Aus Care, an organisation dedicated to supporting African Australian and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across Melbourne. 

In her acceptance speech, Selba-Gondoza called on her fellow graduates to use their hard-earned knowledge as a tool to uplift others. 

"Education gave me an opportunity. Lived experience gave me empathy and purpose. I have learned that true impact happens when knowledge meets compassion, and when we design systems with people, not just for them," she said. 

"The world needs your voice, your courage, and your leadership. Stay grounded in your values. Remember, success is not just what you achieve, but how you uplift others. Your education is a tool, but your humanity is your greatest strength."

Honorary doctorate receiving their testatmur at the Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony.Selba-Gondoza Luka OAM and Chancellor Peggy O’Neal AO. Credit: Reed Events.

Ian McDougall and Howard Raggatt, two of Australia’s most eminent and pioneering architects, were awarded an Honorary Doctor of Design. They are renowned for a distinguished body of award-winning work that has redefined contemporary architecture and made a lasting contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape, including RMIT’s very own Storey Hall, where the ceremony took place. 

In his acceptance speech, Howard spoke of their reasons for using green and purple so prominently in Storey Hall’s design, and how it might inspire iconic ideas in the careers of other graduates.

"We wanted to honour the history of the building in our renovation, first the marginalised Irish Catholic community who built it, and then Vida Goldstein and her suffragette and pacifist movement that occupied the building from 1906-1919, with their green, purple and white flag flying over Swanston Street," said Howard. 

"So can I encourage you all to go for your "green and purple" moments too! To go beyond your personal disposition and instead lookout for something significant, lookout for that big idea, even if it isn't yours!"

Howard Raggatt and Chancellor Peggy O’Neal AOHoward Raggatt and Chancellor Peggy O’Neal AO. Credit: Reed Events.

Congratulations to our PhD graduates! We wish you all the very best on the next stage of your journey.  

Check out the photo highlights of the ceremony or watch the live stream recording on YouTube. You can also learn more about some of our amazing PhD graduates and their research below. 

14 May 2026

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14 May 2026

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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