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 since graduating.

Nominations for 2025 are now closed. Below are the 2025 terms and conditions (as a guide only).

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. 2023 Graduation ceremony or earlier).
• Nominations must demonstrate achievements 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 that verifies achievements.
• Nomination forms and supporting documentation must be completed in English to be eligible for consideration.
• Previously unsuccessful nominees may apply but are required to complete a new nomination form with any updated information and achievements.
• UniSC Advancement 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 award categories and selection criteria below for more information.

We recommend reviewing past recipients for examples of the level of achievement and impact previously awarded.

Award categories

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year  

Tips for writing your nomination

• Who, what, why, and how - begin your application by summarising the key information. Provide context for the level of achievement. For example, “the nominee received X award from X organisation which is the national peak body for their industry”. 
• Address the selection criteria - ensure your responses address the selection criteria and are not general in nature.   
• Know your audience – don't assume the judging panel is familiar with the nominee’s area of expertise or achievement. 
• Plan and organise - effective writing involves 30% planning, 40% writing, and 30% editing. Work with the nominee to write the nomination so you don't omit any of their key information or achievements. 
• Avoid exaggeration – avoid using words such as “superstar” or “incredible” that may be subjective and lack evidence. 
• Review past recipients - see examples of the level of achievement and impact the judging panel is looking for. 
   

Nomination process

• Complete the online Nomination Form. This also forms part of our terms and conditions.
• Nominators can choose before submitting the form to receive a PDF copy of their submission.
• You are not required to select an award category. The judging panel will have final say on which award category they believe the nominee is most suited to and based on the field of nominees. 
• Nominees and nominators will be contacted by UniSC Advancement within two weeks of receiving 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 representatives. 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 UniSC Advancement and nominees who have or 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 Alumni Awards Committee (the Committee) for evaluating, which is constituted by members of UniSC staff.
• 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 will 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 receive a prize of a trophy and citation (the Prize) at the presentation. Winners may be asked to give an acceptance speech and may be asked to participate in a promotional video as part of the recipient announcement.
• 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.

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.

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.