Award categories
Alumni Achievement Awards
The Alumni Achievement Awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements of our alumni. To be eligible, candidates must hold a minimum undergraduate bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney.
Nominees are judged based on their commitment to excellence in their chosen field, integrity, creativity, determination, leadership, resilience, compassion and achievement ‘relative to opportunity.'
This award recognises alumni who achieve excellence in arts, culture and creative sectors and/or whose efforts promote the understanding and value of cultural diversity. This may include contributions to creative arts and literature, elements of design and architecture, cultural education and other cultures, or to the understanding of them.
This award recognises the personal contributions of alumni who, through service or philanthropy, improve the lives of those in need. This award also seeks to recognise the significant involvement of our alumni in projects that enrich local or international communities through activities such as volunteering, philanthropy and service to the community.
This award recognises alumni who are forward-thinking leaders in their industry, profession, field of research or area of expertise. The award celebrates the visionary and the daring, across any field. This award might acknowledge sustainability and technology, elements of design and architecture and creative new ideas for an industry.
This award recognises the outstanding contributions that alumni have made to international society through community service and/or professional achievements that have made a significant global impact. This could be either a one-off significant impact or an ongoing contribution, and could include both professional and community achievements.
This award recognises outstanding achievements of alumni in their professional fields. This could include alumni who achieve in industry, professional and research sectors. This category is very broad in recognising achievements from an individual’s profession.
This award recognises outstanding achievements made by alumni aged 35 and younger (at the close of nominations). With a broad scope, the award celebrates what younger alumni have achieved in their shorter career span.
Graduate Medals
The Graduate Medals celebrate the achievements of our newest graduates. To be eligible for the 2025 Alumni Awards, candidates must:
- have completed their degree requirements or conferred/graduated in 2024 from the University of Sydney.
- have achieved a minimum credit average (65-74 mark range) during their award course at the University (any qualifications with pass/fail criteria excepted)
Each Medal is named in honour of some of our outstanding alumni whose legacy continues to inspire others. The recipients of these medals embody the spirit of these alumni.
The Convocation Medal for Undergraduate Leadership recognises visionary leadership, excellence, dedication and commitment to the University of Sydney. This medal also recognises involvement in initiatives or projects that enrich student experience or the community, beyond their course requirements.
This medal is awarded to a person who, in the previous year, graduated or completed the requirements for an undergraduate degree.
The Medal for Postgraduate Leadership recognises visionary leadership, excellence, dedication and commitment to the University of Sydney. This medal also recognises involvement in initiatives or projects that enrich student experience or the community, beyond their course requirements.
This medal is awarded to a person who, in the previous year, graduated or completed the requirements for a postgraduate degree.
The Rita and John Cornforth Medal for Research Excellence recognises outstanding achievement in research at the University that contribute to the overall advancement of our communities.
This medal is awarded to a person who, in the previous year, graduated or completed the requirements for any University degree.
The John C Harsanyi Medal for Innovation recognises forward-thinking leaders and innovators who go above and beyond academic requirements to help shape the future. This includes, but is not limited to, innovations in technology, design, engineering, business, research, professional pursuits, and sustainability.
This medal may be awarded to an individual or group where a minimum of one member has, in the previous year, graduated or completed the requirements for any University of Sydney degree and achieved a minimum credit average (65-74 mark range) during their award course.
Each individual/group can only win the award once, but may be nominated in subsequent years, pending the nomination meets the Eligibility Requirements.
The Nigel C Barker Medal for Sporting Achievement recognises excellence, outstanding leadership and vision in sports at the University.
This medal is awarded to a person who, in the previous year, graduated or completed the requirements for any University degree.
The Sister Alison Bush Medal for Contribution to Indigenous Community recognises the contribution to Indigenous community by representation or significant involvement in projects/initiatives that enrich Indigenous communities through creativity, innovation, volunteering or service to the community.
This medal is awarded to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student who, in the previous year, graduated or completed the requirements for any University degree.