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Nominations for Honorary Doctorates for award at Graduation Ceremonies in 2010 are now invited.

Nominations may only be submitted by members of the Academic Board or Senate. Other members of the University community who have suggestions for nominations should discuss these with a member of the Board or the Senate. Details of the membership of these bodies are available on the website .

Relevant extracts from Statute No 14 are reprinted below for information.

"The Senate on the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees Committee may confer an honorary degree on any person for distinguished service or attainments within or without the State.

Only nominations submitted in writing stating the grounds on which the candidate is nominated shall be considered.

A person nominated for the award of an honorary degree shall not be consulted beforehand and any resolution of the committee recommending the award will be in the form of an offer of the award."

The Honorary Degrees Committee has developed a number of general guidelines which assist with its recommendations, and which those considering making nominations may find helpful. These guidelines are:

"Honorary Degrees will be awarded in six categories: Community Service; Contribution to the Public Sector; Contribution to the Private Sector; Achievement in Internationalisation; Academic Achievement; Contribution to the Arts.

While there is no quota on the number of awards each year, the emphasis is on quality rather than quantity, with a notional number of three conferments being the expectation.

The Committee aims to make one award in each year to an internationally recognised academic, in order to emphasise the academic focus of the University's business.

While trying to keep an international perspective in making awards, the Committee should not exclude the possibility of recognising high achievers whose field of influence is limited to the State.

Members of the University's staff will not be considered for honorary degrees until two years after their retirement from the University. Nominees would be expected to have made a continuing contribution to research and/or community service since retirement, as well as to have given distinguished service while in the employment of the University."

Nominations must be in writing and should include at least the following:

A statement of the category/ies in which the proposed award fits

Background information about the proposed awardee, with, if possible, details of qualifications and career history (this may be in the form of a CV if such is available)

A draft citation for the award of the honorary doctorate setting out succinctly (in no more than 450 words) the particular achievements/contributions which the proposer sees as warranting the award.  (Samples of citations used at previous Graduation ceremonies are available on request.)

Proposers are welcome to enclose any additional material, such as newspaper articles.

Nominations should be forwarded to:
Pamela Hass
Executive Officer of the Honorary Degrees Committee
Phone: 6488 2450
Email: [email protected]
Deadline: Friday, 10 July 2009

For further information please visit the websites:
1) Academic Board website
2) Senate website

Or contact:
1) Board: Lidia Cuoco
Administrative Officer
Academic Board and Council
Phone: 6488 2451
Email: [email protected]

2) Senate: Lyn Hill
Administrative Officer
Governance Services
Phone: 6488 3002
Email: [email protected]