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Professor Debra Jackson AO: I hope that my research and my body of work will help every person regardless of their social background, the colour of their skin; to get the same sort of healthcare and the same equity of care.
Kyasingmong Marma: I want to work with the indigenous communities around the world so and there can be some positive social change.
Nikita Austin: I want to bridge the gap for indigenous people and healthcare. I want to give children the best start possible.
Aula Sakinah Muntasyarah: We can build a world where zero waste is a reality not a concept.
Southern Cross University is a place where wonderful things can happen, to bring some meaningful social change where we can collaborate and share knowledge, a place where your voice is heard and your ideas matter and our communities and the environment benefits.
The Awards
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At Southern Cross, we have a long standing tradition of recognising the achievements of outstanding alumni through the Alumni of the Year Awards. Past recipients are leaders and innovators across a diverse range of disciplines who exemplify the values and ethos of Southern Cross University.
In the Awards’ 27-year history, the University has recognised hundreds of alumni for their professional and personal dedication to making a profound impact in our society worldwide. From those who are established in their careers to those who are just getting started.
Last year, we celebrated a cohort of Southern Cross University graduates with global achievements in research, community building, healthcare and environmental issues, including Alumnus of the Year, Professor Debra Jackson AO, a distinguished nurse scientist and scholar in recognition of her sustained contribution to generating knowledge to enhance healthcare.
Nominations are now closed.
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Award categories
Alumnus of the Year
Celebrating professional achievement and leadership, excellence in their chosen field of endeavour and outstanding service to the community or profession.
Young Alumnus of the Year
For an alumnus 35 years and under who has demonstrated excellence in their chosen field of endeavour, emerging leadership and outstanding service to the community or profession.
Early Career Alumnus of the Year
Recognises an alumnus 5 years from the completion of their degree who has demonstrated significant achievement in their chosen field of endeavour and outstanding service to the community or profession.
International Alumnus of the Year
For an alumnus who has studied as an international student and has demonstrated significant professional achievement and leadership in their chosen field of endeavour.
Community Impact Award
For significant contribution to addressing critical issues in communities through collaboration and enhancing community capacity.
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Alumni Impact Award recipients
/prod01/channel_1/media/campaigns/Debra-Jackson-320-320.jpg "Professor Debra Jackson AO")
Alumnus of the Year
Professor Debra Jackson AO
Debra is a distinguished nurse scientist and scholar, Debra was the first nurse – and is still today the only nurse – appointed to a Principal Fellowship of the NIHR-funded Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, awarded in recognition of sustained contribution to generating knowledge to enhance the care of NHS patients.
/prod01/channel_1/media/campaigns/Nikita-Austin-320-320.jpg "Nikita Austin")
Young Alumnus of the Year
Nikita Austin
Nikita is a speech pathologist who is passionate about working with rural, regional and Indigenous communities to improve access to healthcare. She has pioneered the first Indigenous-friendly communication board.
/prod01/channel_1/media/campaigns/Mong-Marma-320-320.jpg "Mong Marma")
International Alumnus of the Year
Mong Marma
Kyasingmong (Mong) is from the remote village of Dongnala in Bangladesh. As a Legal and Justice Studies graduate, Mong has worked in countries around the world to protect the rights Indigenous communities, at-risk human rights lawyers and defenders, and civilans impacted by ceasefire-related violence.
/prod01/channel_1/media/campaigns/Aula-Muntasyarah-320-320.jpg "Aula Muntasyarah")
Community Impact Award
Aula Sakinah Muntasyarah
Aula is a champion of agroforestry and community programs that solve environmental problems while creating revenue streams. She has worked with young farmers in West Lombok to increase their knowledge of sustainable agroforestry systems including soil management.
Frequently asked questions
All nominations must be submitted via the application form and must:
- Include a 500–1000 word statement for each nomination that describes the nominee’s activity, outcomes and impact in relation to the category criteria
- Include details that highlight how the alumni have demonstrated outstanding achievement
- Include copies of supporting materials including media coverage, articles and photographs
- Consider the University values: Collegiality (openness, respect, collaboration, trust) and Integrity (honesty, ethical behaviour, drive, accountability)
- Consider the University vision: Southern Cross University will be recognised for enriching our communities through the excellence of our scholarship and the achievements of our graduates.
- Consider the University mission: We equip our students to live a life they value and to be effective global citizens. We do this by creating inspirational and engaged learning experiences. We create and apply knowledge in partnership with our communities in fields that are regionally relevant and globally significant.
- Respond directly to each of the three category criteria and provide evidence (refer to FAQ below)
Anyone can nominate an alumnus for an award, alumni can also nominate peers or self-nominate.
Eligible alumni:
- Must have graduated from Southern Cross University or its predecessor or partner institutions; and
- Be 35 years old or under (for Young Alumnus of the Year)
- Have graduated within the past 5 years (for Early Career Alumnus of the Year)
- Studied as an international student or at an international partner institution (for International Alumnus of the Year).
Yes! You can nominate once more than one category (if self-nominating) or more than one alumni (if nominating others), so long as each nomination meets the specific criteria for each category.
A broad range of evidence of multiple types and sources are to be utilised to comprehensively demonstrate the impact of the work undertaken. Sources of evidence may include:
- Documented changes or impacts created as a result of the activity
- Feedback, testimonials or commendations
- External recognition of the value and/ or impact of the activity
- Awards or nominations
- Media coverage
- Photographs
Evidence that substantiates and demonstrates the extent of the achievement and its impact must be explicitly referenced in the written response and then attached as a supplement to the nomination.
Nominees should not include any additional information in attachments or use as an extension of the word limit.
Any evidence not specifically referred to in the text will not be considered.
1. Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate that has significant benefit and impact
- Evidence of sustained leadership and achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
2. Young Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate 35 years or under
- Evidence of emerging leadership and achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
3. International Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate that has global impact and relevance
- Evidence of sustained leadership and achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
4. Early Career Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate within 5 years after the completion of their degree
- Evidence of significant career achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
5. Community Impact Award
- Contribution towards addressing critical issues in communities
- Engagement of partners to understand and address issues collaboratively
- Evidence of enhanced community capacity and/or benefit
The University will award each Alumni Award Recipient with a one-off monetary prize payment of $1000.
Led by the Vice Chancellor, the Selection Panel determines the finalists and award recipients for each category and includes members of the Executive team.
Award recipients will be announced in November 2021.
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