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Honorary awards

Honorary Awards

Honorary Doctorate

Honorary Doctorates may be awarded for outstanding services to the University, outstanding scholarship, significant services at the national or international level, and/or current and potential contribution to the University through reputation and engagement activities. Nominees will have demonstrated exceptional service or scholarship over a substantial period of time.

University Fellow

University Fellowships are the University's peak award for exceptional service to the University and the community. A nominee’s current and potential contribution to the University, particularly in supporting engagement with local communities, can also be taken into consideration. 

Community Fellowship Award

The award of a Community Fellowship recognises the contribution of an organisation for their outstanding community leadership in one or more of the University's communities.

Related

  • Nominations may also be made for individuals to be nominated for Australian National Honours -- see It's an Honour (external site)

The University of Wollongong recognises outstanding achievement and exceptional service in the granting of honorary awards. Honorary awards include:

  • Honorary Doctorates;
  • University Fellowships; and
  • Community Fellowships.

Who is eligible?

You may wish to nominate someone who

  • has provided outstanding service to the University,
  • has achieved outstanding levels of scholarship,
  • has provided significant services at the national or international level, or
  • has made significant contribution to the University through reputation and engagement activities over a substantial period of time.

To nominate someone - 2026 Nominations are now open.

  1. Do not tell the person you are nominating about their nomination. Nominations must remain strictly confidential.
  2. Refer to the Honorary Awards and Titles Policy and Honorary Awards and Titles Procedure, which outline the nominations process and the criteria for each award.
  3. Complete the relevant Nomination Form:
  4. Email the completed nomination forms and supporting documentation should be emailed to government-community@uow.edu.au. Nominations close 31 July 2026.

Need more information?

Who determines honorary award recipients?

The granting of University of Wollongong Honorary Awards is managed by the Honorary Awards Committee.

University Council determines the recipients of

  • Honorary Doctorates,
  • University Fellowships and
  • Community Fellowship Awards.

The Honorary Awards Committee may also approve candidates to be nominated for

  • Australian Honours and
  • UOW Alumni Awards.

Past recipients

The University granted its first honorary awards in 1976, when Charles A M Gray, Sir Rupert H Myers, David Edwin Parry and Sir Robert Webster were awarded Honorary Doctorates in Science.