Angela Aaraj with Maren Carson
Angela Aaraj, a recent graduate of University of New South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, has been awarded the 2026 mivision prize in recognition of excellence in social engagement.
Ms Aaraj, who was also awarded the Luxottica prize for Clinical Ocular Therapeutics, was one of 17 students recognised for excellence at the UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) Annual Prizegiving in late March.
Ms Aaraj was inspired to study optometry by her own eye condition and those of her family.
“I grew up wearing glasses (and) I had relatives who were almost blind. There were a lot of eye conditions within my family, so I became interested in medicine and very intrigued by eyes,” she told mivision.
With “a lot of ambitions”, Ms Aaraj said having graduated optometry and completed Specsavers’ graduate program, she is now considering her career options. Specsaver’s Pathway Program is one of those options, and in the future she plans to open her own clinic, and/or return to university to undertake a PhD.
Ms Aaraj said winning the mivision award for excellence in social engagement “means a lot to me, especially because it’s so focused on social engagement and giving back to the community”.
“It’s reflective of everything that I wanted to do and wanted to achieve. I feel like I have been able to make an impact in a small way and to be recognised within the community for this is really rewarding,” she said.
I feel like I have been able to make an impact in a small way and to be recognised within the community for this is really rewarding
Award Winners
Other students recognised at the UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science Annual Prizegiving in 2026 were:
The Stage 1 Optics Prize for the best performance in VISN1111 Geometrical and Physical Optics and VISN1221 Visual Optics, sponsored by Essilor Australia: Jie-Ning Chang
The Stage 2 Clinical Optometry Prize for the best performance in OPTM2133 The Clinical Environment and OPTM2233 Optical Dispensing, sponsored by BOC Ophthalmic Instruments: Kelly Zhang
The Stage 3 Ocular Diseases Prize for the best performance in OPTM3105 Disease Processes of the Eye 1 and OPTM3205 Disease Processes of the Eye 2, sponsored by Essilor Australia: Ruth Chen and Zachariah Beydoun
The Stage 3 Environmental Optometry and Dispensing Prize for the best performance in Stage 3 Environmental Optometry and Dispensing, sponsored by UVEX Safety: Ruth Chen
The ParagonCare Vision Prize for the best overall performance in OPTM3201, OPTM3133 and OPTM3233 for excellence in applied vision science practice: Ruth Chen
The CooperVision Prize in Contact Lenses for the best performance in OPTM6411 Contact Lenses in Stage 1 of the Master of Clinical Optometry program: Kelvin Huang
The Optometry NSW/ACT Prize in Ocular Therapeutics for the best performance in OPTM6413 Anterior Eye Therapeutics and OPTM6243 Therapeutics and the Posterior Eye in Stage 1 of the Master of Clinical Optometry: Kelvin Huang
The Dr Andrew Whatham Prize for Stage 5 CFEH Clinical Excellence for the best performance in the Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) Stage 5 Clinical Rotation (Master of Clinical Optometry Stage 2), sponsored by Centre for Eye Health/Guide Dogs NSW/ACT: Brendon Yue
The Research Project Prize in the Master of Clinical Optometry for the best overall mark in the research project in the final year of the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry program, sponsored by Optometric Vision Research Foundation: Rita Bayadh, Merna Matti and Rebekah Nehme (shared prize)
The Specsavers Prize for Excellence in Patient Management by a student in the final year of the Bachelor of Vision Science, Master of Clinical Optometry Program: Emily Field
The SOVS Dry Eye Clinical Care Prize for the best performance in the clinical care of dry eye patients within OPTM8513 and OPTM853 Clinical Ocular Therapy 5A and 5B, sponsored by UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science: Emily Field
The ODMA Richard Grills Low Vision Prize for the best performance in the Low Vision strand in OPTM6421 Binocular Vision, Paediatrics and the Low Vision strand in OPTM8511 Clinical Paediatrics, Low Vision and Colour Vision: Timothy Choong
The SOVS Myopia Control Clinic Care Prize for the best performance in the clinical care of myopia control patients within OPTM8511 Clinical Paediatrics, Low Vision and Colour Vision, sponsored by UNSW School of Optometry and Vision Science: Kate Nguyen
The Brian Kirby Prize for Research Excellence in Optometry
The Brian Kirby Prize for Research Excellence in Optometry for the Doctoral student in Optometry with the best thesis: Dr Shyam Mishra Baishnab
The Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Prize for Excellence in Orientation and Mobility for the best performance in the Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility program (5420): Emma-Jay Campbell
The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) Award for outstanding efforts and to acknowledge the importance of commitment to the profession: Catherine Bui
The Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) Prize in Binocular and Children’s Vision for the best overall performance throughout the Master of Clinical Optometry program in Binocular and Children’s Vision and The SOVS Paediatric Clinical Care Prize: Josie Wehbe
The Specsavers Prize for Overall Excellence in the Bachelor of Vision Science Master of Clinical Optometry Program for the best overall weighted average mark (WAM) in the Bachelor of Vision Science, Master of Clinical Optometry program: Josie Wehbe
The University Medal Award Winner: Josie Wehbe.
