2013 Murdoch University Distinguished Alumni Awards Winners

Introducing the winners for the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Awards!

Our Distinguished Alumni Awards recognise outstanding professional and community service by Murdoch University graduates and acknowledge and celebrate their contribution to the betterment and sustainability of our and other societies.

To the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award winners, Josh Byrne and Barathan Pasupathi, congratulations! Your skills, knowledge and innovation are changing the world for the better.

Art and Social Sciences

Barathan Pasupathi - BCom (1993)

Barathan Pasupathi completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Murdoch University in 1993 and an MBA at Deakin University in 2004. He has over 16 years of expertise in the areas of oil market risk management, aircraft financing and leasing and supply chain management. Barathan was one of the founding senior executives of Jetstar Asia in his role as Chief Financial Officer from 2004-2007. His key achievements at Jetstar include helping to establish the airline through its merger with Valuair, fleet procurement and fuel hedging. Jetstar Asia has since become the largest and most profitable low fares airline in Singapore.
In 2012 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Barathan is an active participant and supporter of community work and had served as Treasurer for the Singapore Children's Cancer Foundation and as Vice Chairman for Camp Rainbow, both organisations which support ongoing research, treatment and the well-being of children with major illnesses. Barathan is also a keen supporter of the environment and serves as Treasurer for Singapore's Nature Society. He has also overseen the implementation of environmentally responsible practices at Jetstar, particularly in the areas of fleet management and fuel efficiency. He continues to support Murdoch University through his ongoing work as a mentor in Murdoch University's e-mentor program. Bara is also a Commissioned Officer of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Science

Josh Byrne - BSc(Hons) Environmental Science (2002)

Josh Byrne is an environmental scientist who is recognised nationally for his leadership in sustainable gardening and landscaping, urban water management, appropriate technology and innovative design.

He is best known for his work as WA presenter on Gardening Australia with ABC television over the last ten years. Since 2005, Josh has also directed the Fremantle-based landscape design, environmental consultancy and communications company, Josh Byrne & Associates, which has received many awards for its engagement in projects across community, corporate, education and government sectors.

From 2003-2005, he was Professional Officer at Murdoch University’s Environmental Technology Centre and Remote Area Developments Group, which is also one of the Asia Pacific Cooperation Research Centres for the United Nations Environment Program International Environmental Technology Centre. Through this role he undertook research, coordinated and implemented projects with remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities in the areas of permaculture and landscaping for environmental health.

Josh is author of two books on sustainable gardening, is a frequent contributor to Gardening Australia Magazine and has published several academic articles in his field.

Josh’s many awards include three consecutive National Horticulture Media Association television awards, the Australian Water Association’s Young Water Professional of the Year award for WA in 2010, as well as its National Young Water Professional of the Year award in 2011.

He is an Ambassador for the Living Smart Household Sustainability Program and for Nature Play WA and the national Smart Approved WaterMark program, and Patron for the Conservation Council of WA and for the WA chapter of Sustainable Gardening Australia.

Josh completed a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in 2002 and is a current PhD candidate at Murdoch University. He also holds an adjunct lecturer position at Murdoch with the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences.

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