Alumnus of the Year
The Australian High Commission in Vanuatu recognises and honours Australia Awards Scholarships and Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession, community and country through exemplary leadership, integrity and innovation.
The Australia Awards Vanuatu Alumnus of the Year Prize is the most distinguished honour given to alumni who have demonstrated achievements at a local, national or international level.
Who can apply?
The Australia Awards Vanuatu Alumnus of the Year Prize is open to Vanuatu citizens who have graduated from a tertiary institution with the Government of Australia’s long term scholarship program. This includes Australia Awards Scholarships, Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships and predecessor programs including Australian Development Scholarships and Colombo Plan.
How to apply?
Application round details will be announced in early 2023. The Australian High Commission in Vanuatu and Australia Awards Vanuatu are committed to gender equality and social inclusion and supports applications for the Alumnus of the Year Prize from women, persons with disabilities and other individuals contributing to the diversity of Vanuatu society.
If you are an alumnus, you are encouraged to nominate yourself for the Alumnus of the Year Prize or you can nominate an alumnus who you think is deserving of the Prize. With your nomination, you can help recognise alumni who have attained distinguished career success and performed outstanding service to their community and Vanuatu.
Self-nominations are permitted. When submitting a nomination, you will be asked to provide supporting documents, including, but not limited to:
- Brief Curriculum Vitae details (max one page)
- A personal story – for example how the Australia Awards experience contributed to the achievements of the nominee
- Soft copy of award or certificates of the nominee’s achievement; and
- Other items of interest – for example links to research publication, news articles, multimedia/audio-visual content and project websites.
- Your contact details and the contact details of the nominee
Criteria for Selection
Nominees must demonstrate any outstanding achievements and identify where leadership has been demonstrated. In addition, the following criteria are used to assess applications:
Skills and Experience 20%
The nominee must demonstrate how the alumnus has utilized the skills, knowledge and experience related to their Australia Awards study area, to achieve an outstanding result in Vanuatu.
Strategic contribution 20%
Contribution is occurring in an area of strategic value to Australia and Vanuatu
Demonstrated development outcome 20%
Able to clearly state what development outcome has been achieved/facilitated by the alumnus
Ongoing linkages 20%
The alumnus is able to demonstrate contribution to linkages with Australia and/or Fiji (or other regional linkages)
Public diplomacy 20%
Ability to represent AAV in an extremely positive light, in the general community, within the professional community and to the Governments of Vanuatu and Australia
The selection panel may also consider:
- Degree of challenges of the achievement and efforts invested;
- Whether the stated achievements have occurred as an individual or as part of a group or organisation; and
- The magnitude and significance of impacts.
What is the selection process for the Alumnus of the Year?
A representative from the Australian High Commission in Vanuatu in conjunction with a representative from the Government of Vanuatu and the Australia Awards Vanuatu Alumni Committee, will shortlist applications for final consideration by the Australian High Commissioner. A list of three finalists will be determined and a winner identified.
Applicants, nominees and nominators will be advised of the outcome of their nomination by Australia Awards Vanuatu. The three finalists will be invited to attend the announcement of the Winner of the Alumnus of the Year Prize at the Australia Awards Vanuatu Alumni Networking Event in 2023.
For more information, please read the FAQs here.