The highly contested prize, presented at the Government Relations Awards 2015, was awarded in recognition of how Universities Australia’s integrated traditional and new media campaign had shifted perceptions about the value of universality education and research to the nation.

“When we launched this campaign last year, we said we wanted to turbo charge a national conversation about the role of a well-funded university education and research sector in securing Australia’s future,” said Chief Executive of Universities Australia, Belinda Robinson.

“For too long the immense economic and social contribution of our universities to our prosperity has flown under the national radar. Our campaign is designed to change that, and this national award is a tremendous validation of its impact.”

Ms Robinson said that Australia’s workforce will demand more qualified graduates, the economy will rely on the creation of new companies, industries, jobs and opportunities that can only come from a strong university sector.

“Our universities employ over 120,000 people and directly contribute more than $24 billion to GDP. University graduates are worth an extraordinary $198 billion to the economy annually,” Ms Robinson said.

“Every day millions of people around the world rely on Australian innovations. We’ve produced 15 Nobel Prize winners and countless breakthroughs – think of the bionic ear or the cervical cancer vaccine.

“As the campaign argues, investing in universities is investing in our future.

“The campaign will continue to highlight the brilliant education and research coming out of our universities, so for those you who have not yet joined the tens of thousands of Australians who are part of the Keep it Clever community, it is certainly not too late,” Ms Robinson said.

You can access the ‘Keep it Clever’ Campaign at http://keepitclever.com.au. You can also follow the campaign on Facebook or Twitter (#keepitclever).