Emeritus Prof. Chesney Romesh Nagarajah has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his distinguished service to tertiary education, as part of the Australia Day 2026 Honours List.
Professor Nagarajah’s career spans nearly four decades, marked by major contributions to engineering education, research and innovation. He has been affiliated with Swinburne University of Technology since 1987, serving as Professor of Mechanical Engineering from 2004 to 2019 and as Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department between 2003 and 2006. He was appointed Emeritus Professor in 2019.
Widely regarded as a pioneer in his field, Professor Nagarajah developed Swinburne’s Robotics and Mechatronics undergraduate degree in 1995 and later led the Non-Contact Inspection Research Group. His research record includes several international patents and more than 150 published journal, conference and technical papers focusing on intelligent sensing and non-contact inspection.
Beyond the university sector, he has played a significant national role through the Australian Research Council, contributing as a lead investigator or investigator on six funded research projects since 2002 and completing more than 60 detailed peer-review assessments. He is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
In 2018, Swinburne recognised his lifetime contribution with its Vice-Chancellor’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, announced the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, which recognises 949 Australians — more than 200 additional recipients compared with last year.
“Throughout 2025, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Australian honours system and the people who for the past half century have epitomised the best of Australia,” the Governor-General said.
“The qualities and accomplishments of this year’s honourees reflect Australia’s values of service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity and care.”
The list includes 680 recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia, alongside military, meritorious, and distinguished and conspicuous service awards. Honourees will attend investiture ceremonies at Government House in their respective states and territories in the coming months.
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