Milestone moment for 4,000 ANU graduates

A husband and wife are among more than 4,000 students from The Australian National University (ANU) marking the end of their university careers as part of this week’s graduation ceremonies.

The 2025 ceremonies run from Tuesday 4 February until Friday 7 February. 

Married couple Dr Achalie Kumarage and Dr Madhawa Perera both took to the stage after completing their PhDs.  

The pair met in high school in Sri Lanka. Dr Kumarage, whose PhD focused on women workers and how they advocate for their own labour rights, said she and her husband were grateful to be able to celebrate the special milestone together.  

“Throughout our PhDs we’ve lived on campus at Graduate House. We’ve had a group of friends here who are like family and a lot of support from the ANU community, so it’s nice to be able to share this occasion with everyone,” she said. 

“Doing our PhDs together has certainly been trying, but since we have been on the same journey, it’s helped us understand each other better.”  

The pair also turned to baking to de-stress.  

“It was good to have a hobby. Baking and travel were ours. We tried a new cake every time!” Dr Kumarage said. 

When asked if they have any advice to couples embarking on a similar journey, the pair said patience is key.  

“Be kind to each other. And once you achieve that milestone together, it’s all worth it. This is something we wanted to do for a very long time,” Dr Kumarage said.  

University Medallist and fellow graduate Tracy Beattie has been recognised for her remarkable academic achievements, but she wasn’t always confident in her abilities.  

“I used to be terrified of raising my hand in class,” she said.  “It feels incredibly surreal. None of this would have been possible without my incredible support network. Winning a University Medal is a collective endeavour.” 

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Genevieve Bell congratulated the 2025 graduating cohort and all those who have supported them. 

“It is an extraordinary moment for our students and our wider community,” Professor Bell said. 

“Graduation ceremonies mark an important rite of passage for our students where they move from student to alum and we look forward to seeing where they go next.

“Universities are important places to hold and shape conversations, and our students are envoys to go out into the world and make it a better, fairer and more just place.”