Honorary Awards Committee

The Honorary Awards Committee is a committee of Council that recommends the award of Fellowships, Honorary Degrees, and Emeritus Professorships. The committee may also consider and recommend to the University Council, candidates to be nominated for Australian Honours such as Companion of the Order of Australia, or Officer of the Order of Australia.

The deliberations of the Committee, which take place at least once per year, are strictly confidential.

Terms of Reference

The Honorary Awards Committee Terms of Reference cover committee jurisdiction, membership, and confidentiality. View the Honorary Awards Committee Terms of Reference »

Current Members

• Ms Jillian Broadbent AO, Chancellor and Chair
• Professor Paul Wellings, Vice-Chancellor
• Associate Professor Di Kelly, Chair of Academic Senate
• Professor John Glynn, Senior Academic Staff Member
• Dr Elizabeth Magassy, External Member of Council

Nomination Procedure

The Honorary Awards Procedure outlines the nomination process for the award of a UOW Fellowship, Honorary Degree, or Emeritus Professorship.

View and download:

• Honorary Awards Committee Procedure

Award Criteria 

If you would like to submit a nomination to the Committee, please first review the award criteria listed below, in conjunction with the Honorary Awards Committee Procedure.

Honorary Doctorates

The criteria for the award of Honorary Degrees provide for:

1. outstanding services to the University;  and/or
2. outstanding scholarship;  and/or
3. significant services at the national or international level; and/or
4. current and potential contribution to the University through reputation and engagement activities. 

Emeritus Professorships

1. The title "Emeritus Professor" may be conferred on a Professor who retires or resigns.
2. All Professors who retire or resign from the University may be considered by the Honorary Awards Committee of Council.
3. In making a recommendation to Council, the Honorary Awards Committee shall consider the following criteria:
   1. The nominee shall have given outstanding service to the University. Such service may be through the nominee's discipline or by bringing significant credit to the University in some other way.  The term "outstanding" is paramount in determining the recommendation. 
   2. The nominee shall have served the University continuously for a minimum period of four years.  Such service need not all have been as a Professor.
   3. In extenuating circumstances a period of service less than the minimum stated in (ii) above need not be considered a bar to the recommendation.
4. A nominee’s current and potential contribution to their discipline and the University can also be taken into consideration by the Committee when making a recommendation for the award of an Emeritus Professorship. 

Emeritus Fellowships

1. A Fellowship is the University’s peak award for service to the University/community.
2. The award of Emeritus Fellow of the University has been established to allow the University to recognise in a public way the contribution of persons to the University and, usually, to the community.  In some instances, the contribution of an organisation may be acknowledged by the recognition of its chair, president or secretary.
3. The contribution may take the form of:
   1. exceptional service to the University and, usually, the community
   2. significant support for the improvement or development of the University or community
   3. activities deemed by Council on the recommendation of its Ceremonial & Honorary Awards Committee to be significant in the development or promotion of the University and, usually, the Community;
4. A nominee’s current and potential contribution to UOW, particularly in supporting engagement with local communities can also be taken into consideration by the Committee when making a recommendation for the award of a University Fellowship.

UOW Enterprise Fellowships

University Enterprise Fellowships are awarded for a limited term to recognise a person’s connection with and contribution to a specific discipline or the University as a whole through their industry experience and linkages. Enterprise Fellowships are approved and granted by the Vice-Chancellor.

UOW Alumni Awards

The UOW Alumni Awards are as follows:

1. Outstanding Alumni - Awarded to an alumnus who:
   1. has demonstrated outstanding professional achievements, inspirational leadership and exceptional human qualities and who;
   2. contributes to their profession, business and/or community at local, national and/or international levels
2. Young Alumni – Awarded to an alumnus who:
   1. is 35 years old or younger in the year of the award; and
   2. demonstrates outstanding professional achievements and/or community involvement likely to be an inspiration to the next generation of graduates and the community at large.
3. Alumni Award for Community Service
   1. Recognises the work of an outstanding individual who has made a significant contribution to the University and/ or our communities.
   2. Priority will be given to nominations that provide evidence of significant, long-term impact of their voluntary contribution to the community and/or the University.
   3. Evidence of impact may include but is not limited to:
      1. Demonstrating that the voluntary contribution has led to enduring and positive outcomes on the quality of life in the local region or beyond – outcomes may be economic, social and/or cultural;
      2. Verification of enduring and positive outcomes for segments of the community including public benefit agencies, organisations and disadvantaged populations
      3. Evidence of impact on the University of Wollongong that assists in achieving its core goal of dynamic engagement with its communities.

For more information on the 2013 Alumni Awards and Alumni Relations, visit UOW Alumni.

Australian National Honours

You can also make suggestions for individuals to be nominated for Australian Honours eg OAM, AM etc. More information on awards is available from the Australian Honours website: It's an Honour.

If you have any recommendations of individuals who would be suitable for any of the above awards OR you want to suggest potential award nominees who you would like to find out more about and/or perhaps invite to UOW as a graduation speaker please contact:

Monique Harper Richardson, Director or Advancement moniqueh@uow.edu.au /  4221 5759

Nancy Huggett, Senior Manager, Corporate Governance nhuggett@uow.du.au /  4221 5684

Contact Details

For further information about the Ceremonial and Honorary Awards Committee please contact the Acting Assistant Secretary to Council by email: nancy_huggett@uow.edu.au or by phone: 4221 5684