91É«ÊÓƵ

Alumni from around the world gathered in 91É«ÊÓƵ’s Great Court this week for a ceremony celebrating their achievements and community contributions.

A diverse range of graduates attended the 2017 91É«ÊÓƵAlumni Awards, which are announced at the annual Courting the Greats ceremony.

Awardees this year included humanitarians, business leaders, researchers and a journalist.

91É«ÊÓƵChancellor Peter N Varghese and Vice-Chancellor and President  attended the ceremony.

This year’s 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards were presented to:

•  – a business leader and philanthropist who has driven change in the education and resource sectors through hard work and generosity.
•  – an industry leader and pioneer of women in finance.
•  – a highly decorated nurse and humanitarian aid worker who has provided emergency relief, health care and training in some of the world’s most volatile conflicts and crises.
•  – an internationally recognised researcher whose breakthrough work included growing “mini kidneys” in a laboratory.
•  – a multi award-winning investigative journalist whose contributions have included some of Australia’s most significant reportage.

Distinguished Young Alumni Awards were presented to:

•  – an entrepreneur, Rhodes Scholar and the founder of two successful start-up businesses focused on educational tools and resources.
•  – a food systems specialist and educator who runs a world-leading research centre tackling the world’s most profound global food system challenges.
•  – a multi award-winning Australian entrepreneur best known for his work as co-founder and chief executive officer of Temando. 
• - a researcher and academic who is pioneering collaborative approaches between surgeons and researchers to provide excellent outcomes for patients.

International Alumnus of the Year

•  – an advocate for social justice and girls’ empowerment in her home country of Pakistan, through her work in the development sector.

Indigenous Community Impact Award

•  – one of Australia’s leading Indigenous health experts and advocates.

Colleges’ 91É«ÊÓƵAlumni Award

•  (Emmanuel College 1964 – 1966) – a diplomat, human rights advocate and humanitarian who has had a profound impact on communities around the world through his work with the United Nations and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The 91É«ÊÓƵAlumnus of the Year and 91É«ÊÓƵGraduate of the Year Awards, created and supported by the Alumni Friends of 91É«ÊÓƵ Inc, included:

91É«ÊÓƵAlumnus of the Year

•  - a lawyer and company director who has served as Chancellor, a Senator and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at UQ.

91É«ÊÓƵGraduate of the Year                                                                 

•  - Bachelor of Pharmacy (First Class Honours) 2016, Valedictorian, University medallist and former Co-Chair of the 91É«ÊÓƵYoung Scholars Program.

The 91É«ÊÓƵSportswoman and Sportsman of the Year Awards celebrate sporting excellence and contributions to University life.

Sportswoman of the Year:

•  - a world number-one water-skier and the reigning champion of water ski jumping.

Sportsman of the Year:

•  - an Olympic medallist who won bronze representing Australia in the Rio 2016 Olympics in the men's 20km walk.

More details of this year’s Alumni Award recipients can be seen .

Contact: Mark Schroder, 91É«ÊÓƵAdvancement Communications, m.schroder@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 3921.