The University of Adelaide's alumni have distinguished themselves throughout the world in their individual fields. Alumni include Dr Andy Thomas, the first Australian in space, Antarctic explorer and geologist Sir Douglas Mawson, nuclear physicist Sir Mark Oliphant and former president of Singapore Mr Ong Teng Cheong.
The University of Adelaide has also produced three Nobel Prize-winners: x-ray pioneers Sir Lawrence and Sir William Bragg and penicillin pioneer Lord Howard Florey.
Recent academic celebrities have included Paul Davies, as Professor of Natural Philosophy.
Present size is reported at 16,000 students from 70 countries (2003).
While marketable disciplines such as wine science, information studies and business studies have been given wide prominence recently, the university still has a reputation for quality basic research and teaching in mathematics, engineering and biotechnology.
Influences on the university's teaching and research priorities: