Meet RMIT’s Graduating Student Ambassador for 2025, James Anquetil

SKIP TO CONTENT

Meet RMIT’s Graduating Student Ambassador for 2025, James Anquetil

Engineering student and RMIT Motorsport Team Lead James will be speaking at this year’s Graduation Ceremony at Marvel Stadium.

Building robots since he was four, James was always drawn to studying engineering; when he saw RMIT’s facilities at an Open Day, he knew the Bachelor of Engineering program was the right path for him.

“I’m a hands-on person, and I’ve always loved building, inventing, taking things apart,” James says. “When I saw all the amazing RMIT spaces, like the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and the engineering labs – I was sold.”

During his degree, James has also been heavily involved with the RMIT Motorsport team, building race cars for the Formula SAE-A competition.

His racing journey started after attending Clubs Day in his second year, where he saw the team car.

“I was immediately sucked in. It’s been the most intense, exhausting and fun experience of my life.”

James standing cross armed outside of RMIT

RMIT’s Graduating Student Ambassador for 2025, James Anquetil.

When he first joined the Motorsport team, James was happy to take on any task.

“I was eager to help in any way I could – from analysing data, to designing parts and driving around Melbourne to find whatever niche component we needed.”

From there, he led the complete redevelopment of the vehicle’s gearbox and, in 2025, was elected Team Lead.

James says being part of the team has shaped him and his university experience.

The most rewarding part of the team is the people but also seeing the project go from a blank piece of paper to a concept, to a finished car at competition.

As he nears graduation, James says he has learned a lot over the course of his studies.

“At the start of my degree, I was a lot naiver about what engineering was. The degree has helped me understand the industry and how I want to fit into it.”

In addition to strong technical skills, his involvement with RMIT Motorsport has helped James develop soft skills.

“I’ve worked with a lot of amazing people, and had lots of opportunities for collaboration.”

James driving a truck with RMIT Motorsport

James driving the RMIT Motorsports car to a competition.

Advice for students

James’ advice for students at the start of their studies? Get involved with clubs and activities outside the classroom.

I’ve had a lot of great leadership opportunities. Those outside-the-classroom opportunities test us, stretch us and bring us together.

The RMIT Motorsport team with the car

The RMIT Motorsport team

After graduation

After graduation, James is looking forward to moving into a career that keeps him on his toes.

“In 5 years, I hope I’m doing something exciting that gets me out of bed in the morning.”

He’s interested in working with metal 3D printing and carbon fibre composite, manufacturing technologies he was introduced to during his time at RMIT’s Rheology and Materials Characterisation Laboratory.

“The opportunities I’ve had at RMIT, both curricular and extra-curricular, have opened my eyes to what I want to do with my life and what I want to do with my career.”

---

Connect with James on LinkedIn.

James will be speaking at the Melbourne Graduation Ceremony at Marvel Stadium on 17 December 2025.

Celebrating our 2025 graduates

To read about more exceptional RMIT students graduating this year, go to Celebrating our 2025 graduates.

Read more

03 December 2025

More student news

Meet RMIT’s Graduating Student Ambassador for 2025, James Anquetil

03 Dec 2025

Engineering student and RMIT Motorsport Team Lead James will be speaking at this year’s Graduation Ceremony at Marvel Stadium.

Roman wearing a black button up shirt pictured from chest up

Banking on soft skills: How an overseas internship changed Roman's perspective and got him a graduate job at NAB

03 Dec 2025

Participating in an internship exchange program allowed business student Roman Fontana to explore Ho Chi Minh City and land a graduate position back home in Melbourne.

woman in dress standing in front of plant boxes

Engineering impact: Tanvi is embracing her creativity and career connections to help combat water insecurity

28 Nov 2025

After studying civil engineering and working in the industry, Tanvi Shaikh decided to head back to university where she has embraced every opportunity to build her skills and tackle pressing environmental issues.

Laptop open displaying an email message

That’s bait! How to identify a scam and avoid falling victim

27 Nov 2025

It’s common to think that scams only affect the elderly, but did you know young people are increasingly likely to fall victim to scams? Here’s how to avoid being scammed and what to do if you fall victim.

aboriginal flag float-start

torres strait flag float-start

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.

More information