Celebrating Teaching Excellence: Melinda Kapp receives Inaugural Chancellor's Medal
Torrens University Australia is proud to announce that Melinda Kapp, Learning Facilitator at Billy Blue College of Design, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Chancellor's Medal for Teaching Excellence.
28 October 2026 | Media Release
Established in 2026, the Chancellor's Medal for Teaching Excellence is a new annual award recognising exceptional educators whose teaching demonstrates outstanding impact, innovation and alignment with Torrens University's mission of delivering applied, industry-connected, inclusive and digitally enhanced education.
The award reflects the University's commitment to recognising teaching as one of its defining strengths and celebrates educators who inspire, challenge and transform the lives of students through outstanding learning experiences.
Recently, Torrens University Australia recorded significant gains across all six undergraduate measures in the 2025 Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Student Experience Survey (SES), strengthening its position among 43 Australian universities for teaching quality, skills development and student support.
In the QILT results, Torrens University ranked 6th nationally for undergraduate teaching quality, rising from 19th,7th nationally for postgraduate teaching quality, with 87% positive ratings, Top four nationally for postgraduate skills development, achieving 88%, Top four nationally for postgraduate peer engagement and above the national average for overall educational experience across both undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Aleks Subic said the new award highlights the critical role teaching excellence plays in student success and the University's future.
“Teaching excellence sits at the heart of our mission as a university. Our academics and lecturers constantly strengthen professional capability and industry experience so they can help students realise their potential. By recognising and celebrating exceptional teaching, we reinforce one of the key drivers of student success, graduate outcomes and institutional excellence.
As Torrens University continues to grow its national and international reputation, including through performance measures such as the QS rankings, it is the quality of our student experience and the impact of our teaching that will distinguish us. Outstanding educators like Melinda demonstrate how innovative, industry-connected learning creates value for students, employers and communities alike.”
Melinda was selected following a rigorous assessment process involving the University's Deans, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic. The panel recognised the breadth, depth and sustained impact of her contribution to learning, teaching and student success across more than 13 years at Torrens University.
Her leadership of authentic Work Integrated Learning projects, particularly those undertaken in partnership with First Nations communities, has created transformative learning experiences for students while delivering meaningful outcomes for community and industry partners.
The panel also highlighted Melinda's innovative contributions through the WILPower Sociocultural Capacity Framework, the STUDIO + ON-COUNTRY model, and the WILd podcast. Together, these initiatives demonstrate a scholarly, inclusive and future-focused approach to education that strongly reflects Torrens University's values of opportunity, collaboration, innovation and real-world impact.
As the inaugural recipient, Melinda will receive a University Medal and a monetary prize. She was formally honoured at a special university dinner in Adelaide and recognised at the Sydney graduation ceremony on 23 October.
The Chancellor's Medal for Teaching Excellence was established with the support of Chancellor the Hon Michael Thawley AO, reflecting a shared commitment to recognising the extraordinary contribution educators make to students, industry and the broader community.
Media contact: media.enquiries@torrens.edu.au
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