ECU NEXT Project Team members celebrate ECU's double win at the WA Export Awards. Image courtesy of The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has been named 2026 Western Australian State of Energy Exporter of the Year, a prestigious honour which recognised the University's contribution to the state's economic growth through international education.
The annual WA Export Awards celebrate exporters in 13 categories that help grow the local economy by creating local jobs, attracting international students and showcasing the strengths of WA on the world stage.
This year, ECU repeated its 2023 triumph in the International Education and Training category, and received the highly coveted title of 2026 WA Exporter of the Year on a memorable night for the University.
The winning moment as ECU takes home the main prize of the night. Image courtesy of The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.
As a dual-award winner at the WA Export Awards, ECU will represent the State at the Australian Export Awards, where the University's success in attracting international students and strength in both creating and supporting local jobs will be showcased to an international audience.
WA Premier and Tourism, Trade and Investment Minister Roger Cook congratulated ECU on its win, noting that the awards highlighted the people behind the State's exports success.
"Congratulations to Edith Cowan University on being named the 2026 Western Australian State of Energy Exporter of the Year, and to all the category winners whose success is supporting jobs and economic opportunities across our State," Premier Cook said.
"I wish all our winners the very best as they represent Western Australia at the Australian Export Awards later this year and continue creating jobs, driving investment and growing our economy for the benefit of all Western Australians."
ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Jake Garman expressed his delight at seeing the University commended as a leader in international student attraction to WA.
"Winning the top award is a major recognition of not only ECU's leading role, but also the value and impact of international education to Western Australia," Garman said.
"International students are valued and welcomed to WA, and they are an essential part of our economic prosperity, cultural diversity and thriving communities."
ECU accepts the 2026 WA Exporter of the Year award, the top prize of the night. Image courtesy of The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.
ECU's double win at the 2026 WA Export Awards was testament to the University's significant contribution to the WA economy through international education programs.
International education is Australia's largest service export, contributing $4.5 billion to WA economy in 2025 alone.
One such project – ECU NEXT, led by International Business Operations (IBO) in partnership with ECU Schools, Edith Cowan College and Growth Engagement and Marketing – was key to ECU's recognition as International Education and Training award winners.
The initiative staged in the three years leading up to the opening of ECU City was split into three bespoke themes, ENVISION24, EVOLVE25, and culminated in the EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit in September, 2026, which welcomed 60 education agents from across the world to ECU.
ECU Dean of International Business Operations Marko Remes said ECU NEXT played a key role in ECU's global success and competitive positioning.
"ECU NEXT has made a global mark, significantly increasing ECU's visibility and partner loyalty during an increasingly competitive and complex international education environment", Remes said.
"This initiative is a testament to the creativity, passion and dedication of ECU International, while also reflecting the exceptional collaboration of teams across the university".
Delegates and ECU colleagues come together at ECU City for the EMERGE26 Global Agent Summit.
