Universities have urged Australian businesses to take a fresh look at how university research can help drive productivity to stimulate economic, jobs and wages growth.

Australians are more educated than ever before and continue to enjoy strong employment outcomes following graduation, new global figures on tertiary education confirm.

Sending the story of cracking the cane toad genome global, a pitch to entice more STEM PhD students into industry and an inspired billion-dollar fundraising effort are among campaigns recognised in the sector’s highest awards for university storytellers.