The Outstanding Alumni of the Year Awards (the Awards) recognise and celebrate the many achievements of UniSC graduates, both professionally and personally for outstanding contributions to their profession, community and the advancement of society.

Nominations for the 2023 Awards closed on 31 August 2023.

Below are the 2023 terms and conditions.

Eligibility

• To be eligible to enter the Awards, nominees must have officially graduated from their first degree at UniSC at least two years prior to nominating (i.e. 2021 Graduation ceremony or earlier).
• More weighting is given to achievements demonstrated in the years after graduating from UniSC, rather than when the nominee was a student.
• Nominees do not have to be working in the discipline they studied at UniSC.
• Nominations can be made by any member of the community but must have permission from the nominee.
• Self–nominations are accepted, provided a letter of recommendation from a key industry representative (such as an employer) is included to verify achievements.
• Previously unsuccessful nominees may apply but are required to complete a new nomination form with any updated information and achievements.
• The UniSC Advancement Office reserves the right to keep select nominees valid for up to two years and these nominees may be asked to submit a new nomination form with updated information.

Some additional eligibility criteria will apply to certain categories of Awards. Please see the selection criteria below for more information.

UniSC is proud of our Alumni and takes the integrity of the Awards very seriously. If we are concerned that you may bring the University or the Awards into disrepute, or we have concerns about the accuracy of some information, we may have to disqualify you.

Award categories

The Award categories are:

• Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
• Alumnus of the Year, Regional Achievement
• Alumnus of the Year, Rising Star

Award conditions

At the discretion of the judging panel, more than one winner in any category may be awarded.

Not all categories need be awarded in any given year and will depend on the calibre of nominations.

By accepting an Award, you agree to participate in and cooperate as required with all reasonable marketing activities relating to the Award. These may include, but are not limited to, being interviewed, photographed and filmed. You must also agree that UniSC may use your comments, image and name for advertising and publicity purposes and understand that you are not entitled to any additional compensation.

Selection criteria

UniSC aims to recognise our most outstanding Alumni. Our judges follow a broad range of selection criteria to find and celebrate the most deserving nominees. Here is what our judges are looking for:

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year (first graduated at least 2 years ago)

• Demonstrated and sustained excellence in their field (professional, academic, research or community)
• Demonstrated leadership and innovation
• Evidence of contribution to and recognition by their profession or community at a local, national or international level

Alumnus of the Year, Regional Achievement (first graduated at least 2 years ago)

• Evidence of contribution within the UniSC footprint of Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Fraser Coast and Moreton Bay Region, and/or another regional community, which includes: 
  • Demonstrated success in their field (professional, academic, research or community)
  • Leadership in their field or community
  • Supporting the development of the regional community and/or economy

Alumnus of the Year, Rising Star (first graduated at least 2 years ago)

• Aged 35 years or less on the due date of the nomination
• Demonstrated success in their field (professional, academic, research or community)
• Evidence of career and/or personal development activities
• The nominee's future goals and their potential impact

Other considerations

To assist with assessing and comparing nominations, the judging panel may also consider:

• How the achievements and their impact contribute to UniSc's stated mission and align with UniSC's values, as outlined on the nomination form.
• Degree of difficulty of the achievement and personal sacrifices made by the nominee.
• Volunteer work.
• The extent of the nominee’s individual role in a group or organisational achievement.
• Nature and length of activity or service.
• Contribution and/or service to UniSC.
• Evidence of achievements.

Nomination process

• Complete the online Nomination Form. This also forms part of our terms and conditions.
• Nominators will receive an auto-generated copy via email of what they submitted i.e. the nomination form including any attachments.
• Nominations for more than one award category are permitted, provided answers addressing each award category are submitted on the nomination form. The judging panel will have final say on which award category they believe the nominee is most suited to.
• Nominees and nominators will be contacted by the UniSC Advancement Office within two weeks of receipt of the nomination to acknowledge receipt.
• A nominee may be asked to clarify or submit further information and evidence to assist UniSC in assessing the nomination at any stage of the selection process.
• UniSC may also seek verification of the nominee's achievements from their current or previous employer or other relevant individual or organisation representative. By nominating for these Awards (or agreeing to someone else nominating you) you consent to UniSC contacting these individuals to verify nominations.
• Nominations will be reviewed and shortlisted by the UniSC Advancement Office and nominees who have not been shortlisted will be notified.
• Shortlisted nominees may, at UniSC’s sole discretion, be promoted by UniSC in the lead up to the official recipient announcement and may be asked to submit a brief profile and photo for this purpose.

Selection process

• Shortlisted nominees will be submitted to the Awards Committee (the Committee) for judging, which is constituted by members of UniSC staff and alumni.
• The Committee may request a video interview with shortlisted nominees as part of the selection process.
• Proposed winners are then agreed upon by the Committee and submitted to the Vice-Chancellor and President (or her delegate) for final approval.
• If a nominator is on the judging panel, their interest should be declared.
• If a nominee is on the judging panel, they are not able to vote for their own nomination.
• Nominees and nominators may be advised of the outcome of their nomination prior to the awards presentation.

Awards presentation 

• The Awards are presented to recipients (or their delegate) by the Vice-Chancellor and President (or her delegate) at UniSC’s Sippy Downs campus on the Sunshine Coast in November or December of the nomination year.

• Winners (or their delegate) receive a prize of a trophy and citation (the Prize) at the presentation. Winners may be asked to give an acceptance speech, depending on the format of the event.
• The presentation is photographed and may be recorded on video for UniSC’s promotional purposes.
• Any Prize, or any unused portion of a Prize, cannot be transferred, exchanged or redeemed for cash.

General

• UniSC may disqualify any nominee that we reasonably determine has breached any of these terms and conditions or otherwise engaged in unlawful or other improper conduct that may bring the Awards into disrepute or jeopardise the fair and proper conduct of the Awards.
• Entries are accepted at the time of receipt by UniSC. We are not responsible for any entries not received for any reason.
• UniSC’s decision is final on all matters relating to the nomination process and the selection of award recipients, and we are not required to provide feedback as to why a nomination was unsuccessful.
• If for any reason, UniSC is not able to conduct the Awards as planned (including due to tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical difficulties, pandemic or any other causes beyond our control which impact the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Awards) then we reserve the right in our sole discretion to make any reasonable variation to the Awards or the Prize.

For any enquiries contact Anita Edmonds, Manager, Alumni Relations, via alumni@usc.edu.au or Tel: +61 7 5459 4564.