The Indigenous Australian Engineering School returns to UNSW
UNSW Engineering hosted the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES), bringing Indigenous high school students from across Australia to campus.
Published on the 11 February 2026
Held in partnership with Engineering Aid Australia, the week-long camp on 11-17 January 2026 focused on introducing high school students to engineering and the diverse pathways it offers.
Throughout the week, students took part in hands-on engineering workshops with UNSW Schools within the Engineering Faculty. They also heard from industry professionals, learned about university life, and explored the wide range of opportunities available through a future career in engineering.
Alongside the technical sessions, students took part in cultural experiences, giving them time to connect with one another and with local Indigenous groups.
A student from the program said, "The experience was really grounding and rewarding. it’s something I’ll carry with me long after the program.”
The week concluded with a graduation dinner celebrating the students' achievements. The evening featured keynote speaker Joshua MacLeod, an Electrical Engineer and proud IAES alumnus, who first attended the program as a high school student before going on to study engineering at the University of Wollongong. His journey reflected the lasting impact of the IAES and the pathways it helps create.
First launched in 1999, the Indigenous Australian Engineering School has a strong legacy of inspiring Indigenous students to pursue careers in engineering. This year marked the 29th IAES, with UNSW Engineering continuing its commitment to supporting and empowering future Indigenous engineers.