Kogarah robotics researcher, Professor Salah Sukkarieh has nominated for the 2019 NSW Australian of the Year Award.
Professor Sukkarieh is helping to transform the future of farming, finding new, efficient and sustainable ways for Australian farmers to grow their crops and animals, strengthen global food security, and better the environment.
As Professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at the University of Sydney, his internationally-renowned work is helping to make Australia a world-leader in intelligent farm systems.
Using robotics and intelligent systems, Professor Sukkarieh is giving farmers the tools and solutions they need to face one of humanity’s biggest challenges: sustainably feeding the planet.
Heading a team of researchers and engineers, Professor Sukkarieh is deploying drones and self-driving farmbots that can collect data, herd animals, undertake precision seeding, intelligent spraying and chemical free weeding.
He uses his research to support both large and small-holder farmers; reducing their costs, increasing their yield, and improving their quality of life. He is also developing digital STEM tools for rural schools and developing countries, to help close the digital divide.
The nominees for 2019 NSW Australian of the Year were announced yesterday.
The other nominees are Kurt Fearnley, athlete and advocate (Newcastle); Mark Hughes, brain cancer awareness advocate (Newcastle); Joanne McCarthy, investigative journalist (Bateau Bay).
The NSW Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced on the evening of Monday, November 12 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.
The NSW Award recipients will join other State and Territory recipients from around Australia in the national awards, which will be held in Canberra on January 25, 2019.
National Australia Day Council CEO, Ms Karlie Brand, said the NSW nominees are among more than 120 people being recognised in all States and Territories as part of the 2019 Australian of the Year Awards.