University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne's interim vice-chancellor stated that pro-Palestine sit-ins on campus prompted the institution to 'quite sharply' revise its protest policies, with potential further restrictions. The statement was made during a hearing of the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, which is examining university responses to campus incidents affecting Jewish students and academics.

A Jewish professor testified before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, criticizing the University of Melbourne's handling of pro-Palestine student activists who occupied his office, as their expulsion was overturned. The university was urged to address antisemitism and protests more effectively.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney ranked 19th in the QS World University Rankings, overtaking the University of Melbourne for the first time. UNSW improved by one position from last year and 30 places since 2017, while nine Australian universities achieved record-high rankings.

Professor Abbas Rajabifard from the University of Melbourne denied collaborating on research with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator. Ghalibaf was involved in recent peace talks and has built ties to Australia over the past decade. Rajabifard claims he was named as an author on a journal article without his knowledge.

Two University of Melbourne engineering students have recreated a 18th-century mechanical volcano design from Sir William Hamilton, using modern LED lighting and electronic systems to simulate Mount Vesuvius's eruptions. The project, based on an 18th-century watercolor and preserved sketch, brought Hamilton's 1775 vision to life after 250 years.