• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Purpose
• Scope
• Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements
• Types of Honorary Awards
• Eligibility
• Criteria
• Nominations
• Process
• Revocation and Surrender of Awards
• Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Senate
• Senate Honorary Awards Committee
• University Senior Executive Team
• Office of the Vice-President (Advancement and Community Engagement)
• Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
• Section 5 - Recording and Reporting

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

Purpose

(1) UQ’s Honorary Awards are intended to publicly recognise exceptional achievements or contributions by outstanding individuals, whom – through their careers or personal endeavours – have made a unique and lasting contribution to the University, State of Queensland, or to Australia.

(2) In recognition of the University’s commitment to diversity in its many forms, Honorary Awards recognise individuals who reflect the diversity of our global community, and who, collectively, represent the mission, values and aspirations of the University.

Scope

(3) This Policy outlines the eligibility and high-level governance of Honorary Awards at UQ.

Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements

Types of Honorary Awards

(4) Honorary Awards represent the University’s highest honours. Honorary Awards that may be conferred by Senate are:

1. Honorary Doctorate in any discipline in which a doctorate is offered by the University;
2. Honorary Doctorate of the University;
3. UQ R.H. Roe Award.

(5) There is no expectation or requirement that any awards be made each year.

Eligibility

(6) Eligibility for Honorary Awards is summarised in the linked table.

(7) The Chancellor may recommend to Senate that an Honorary Award is granted posthumously.

Criteria

(8) Honorary Doctorate in a Particular Discipline:

1. Exceptional service to a professional or academic discipline or field of endeavour; and
2. Exceptional contribution to the enrichment of our communities within the State, Commonwealth of Australia, or internationally (whether or not directly associated with The University of Queensland).

(9) Honorary Doctorate of the University:

1. Exceptional service or contributions which align with the mission, values and aspirations of the University; and
2. Exceptional contribution to the enrichment of our communities within the State, Commonwealth of Australia, or internationally (whether or not directly associated with The University of Queensland).

(10) UQ R.H. Roe Award:

1. Outstanding service or contribution to the University, beyond the normal requirements of a position or affiliation with the University; and
2. Outstanding contribution to meaningfully enhancing the University’s reputation, mission and objectives, usually over a sustained period of time.

Nominations

(11) Nominations may be submitted by:

1. Senate members;
2. Alumni of the University;
3. Members of the University Senior Executive Team;
4. Staff (academic and professional); or
5. Students (with the endorsement of a member of one of the above categories).

(12) Self-nominations are not accepted.

(13) Nominations will be treated with the highest confidentially. A nominee will not be advised of or consulted about their nomination at any stage prior to formal notification via the Vice-Chancellor.

Process

(14) The process for the nomination and consideration of honorary awards is set out in the Honorary Awards Procedure.

Revocation and Surrender of Awards

(15) To maintain the integrity of UQ’s Honorary Awards and uphold the reputation of the University, Senate may, at its sole discretion, revoke an Honorary Award if, in its view:

1. the recipient has engaged in activities which prejudices the reputation of the University; or
2. the recipient’s continued association with the University would prejudice the reputation of the University.

(16) A recipient of an honorary award may surrender the award by giving written notice to the Vice-Chancellor. 

Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Senate

(17) Senate is responsible for approving or revoking Honorary Awards, on the recommendation of the Senate Honorary Awards Committee.

Senate Honorary Awards Committee

(18) Considering nominations, and making recommendations to the Senate regarding the granting of Honorary Awards.

University Senior Executive Team

(19) Considering nominations for Honorary Awards and making recommendations to the Senate Honorary Awards Committee.

Office of the Vice-President (Advancement and Community Engagement)

(20) Overseeing the implementation of this Policy, providing secretariat services to the Senate Honorary Awards Committee, coordinating all communications in relation to the conferral of Honorary Awards, and supporting campus partners to meaningfully sustain relationships with recipients.

Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance

(21) The Vice-President (Advancement and Community Engagement) is responsible for the ongoing implementation and review of this Policy.

Section 5 - Recording and Reporting

(22) The Vice-President (Advancement and Community Engagement) is responsible for recording and reporting on the granting, revoking, and surrender of honorary awards, and for provision of secretariat services to the Senate Honorary Awards Committee.