L to R Dr Megan Clarke AC ( Chancellor and RCM Baker Oration 2025), Dr Alan Finkel AC, Dr Elizabeth Finkel AM, and Monash Vice Chancellor Prof Sharon Pickering.
Rotary Melbourne Honorary member Dr Alan Finkel AC was honoured on 11 February 26 with a Monash building named after him at their Clayton Campus. Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering today announced the Alan Finkel Building for Technology and Design as the new name of Building 94, alongside Chancellor Megan Clark AC at an unveiling on the Clayton campus.
“Naming this building in Dr Alan Finkel AC’s honour is not only a celebration and recognition of an extraordinary Australian scientist and changemaker, but a person whose drive and curiosity for research and innovation has and will continue to inspire and impact future generations,” Professor Pickering said.
“This moment reflects the deep and enduring relationship we share with Dr Finkel, the Finkel family, and his distinguished contributions to the University and the broader community, to shape solutions to global challenges.”
The Alan Finkel Building for Technology and Design will support world-leading engineering and technology research, innovative learning and student study for years to come.
“I am deeply honoured for this building to be named after me,” Dr Finkel said.
“Many moons ago, I studied engineering as an undergraduate and postgraduate student at the Clayton campus.
“I never envisioned that such an elegant and highly functional building would emerge to support researchers in their effort to identify and tame advanced technologies; and that this building would support innovative teaching and learning that is producing engineering graduates ready to transform the world.”
This building naming is a testament to the ongoing contributions of Dr Alan Finkel AC to the University, his role as a key Monash community member, and his legacy of innovation and research which inspires the next generation of changemakers.
In 2008, Dr Finkel became the first alumnus to hold the role of Chancellor at Monash University and served with distinction for eight years. He continues to play an active role in University life, including support of the Monash Motorsport Team and as Chair of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation (ACJC) Advisory Council.
He is also a highly respected engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has dedicated his life’s work to science, engineering, tertiary education and administration.
Through the Alan and Elizabeth Finkel Foundation, Dr Finkel and his family support a wide range of causes across science, education, health, culture and community welfare.
Over the past two decades, The Alan and Elizabeth Finkel Foundation has made inspired and transformational contributions to Monash University. Through their impact-driven philanthropy, they enabled the preservation of endangered Indigenous languages and stories in 3D animation.
Monash University Council has endorsed the building rename in line with University standard naming and governance processes and requirements.
Source: Monash University Media
Dr Alan Finkel AC
