Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Intent

This Procedure outlines the process for awards of recognition that acknowledge and promote student academic excellence at James Cook University (JCU; the University).

Scope

This Procedure applies to all students of JCU, including Singapore and Brisbane campus students, receiving an approved Award, including Honorary Awards

Definitions

The definitions used in this Procedure are found in the Policy Glossary.

Procedure

1. Awarding a University Medal

1.1 Identification and Approval of Recipients

1.1.1 The Examinations and Graduations Office will identify via the Student Management System eligible recipients of the University Medal based on the criteria outlined in the Award Finalisation and Graduation Policy.

1.1.2 The Examinations and Graduations Office will send the list of eligible recipients, and their respective GPAs, to each of the relevant College Deans requesting confirmation that the identified graduands are eligible to receive the relevant nominated University Medal.

1.1.3 The College Dean shall consider the list of eligible recipients received from the Examinations and Graduations Office, taking into consideration the eligibility criteria outlined in the Award Finalisation and Graduation Policy, and make a recommendation regarding recipients of the University Medal.

1.1.4 The College Dean shall forward their recommendation/s to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academy who will determine the recipients of the University Medal.

1.1.5 If approved by the DVC Academy, the Examinations and Graduations Office will facilitate the awarding of the University Medal in line with Clause 6 of this procedure.

2. Awarding the Medal for Excellence for a Higher Degree by Research (Doctoral or Masters) Thesis

2.1 Identification and Approval of Recipients

2.1.1. A Medal for Excellence shall be awarded to a HDR candidate whose research thesis was examined in that calendar year and has been recommended by both external examiners to be passed cum laude (academic level of distinction).

21.2 The Graduate Research School (GRS) shall prepare and forward a list of eligible recipients for the Medal for Excellence, endorsed by the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development, for noting by the Academic Board and Council.

2.1.3 The GRS will provide the name(s) of the recipient(s) for the Medal for Excellence for a Higher Degree by Research (Doctoral or Masters) Thesis to the Ceremonies Office and the Examinations & Graduation Team to identify attendance and preparation for the Graduation Ceremony.

3. Awarding the Dean’s Award for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Excellence

3.1 Identification and Approval of Recipients

3.1.1 Eligible candidates must have received a JCU research doctorate or research masters degree in the previous year and completed all degree requirements within the maximum program duration.

3.1.2 Each year, the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development will request nominations from College Deans or Associate Deans Research Education for up to 10% of HDR graduates (or one nominee where 10% is less than one) for the Award, based on a list provided by the GRS.

3.1.3 Nominations should provide information regarding the actual and potential research impact, international recognition, publications (or other outputs) or any other recognition of the research quality, and examiner feedback.

3.1.4 The Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development will select award recipients and will issue a letter of recognition to them.

3.1.5 The list of recipients will be published by the GRS on the GRS website.

3.1.6 HDR graduates are not eligible to receive both the Medal for Excellence and the Dean’s Award for HDR Excellence.

4. Indigenous Academic Excellence Award

4.1 Identification and Approval of Recipients

4.1.1 Each year the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy (DVC IES) will prepare a list of candidates who are considered eligible to receive the Indigenous Academic Excellence Award based on the criteria in the Award Finalisation and Graduation Policy. The DVC IES will send the list to the Managers of Indigenous Student Support Programs and the Head of Indigenous Student Support Services (the Managers) who will provide their written nominations for eligible recipients based on the abovementioned criteria.

4.1.2 The Managers' written nominations will be considered by the Indigenous Education and Research Centre Executive who will rank all nominees based on the response to the eligibility criteria.

4.1.3 It is intended that no more than 10% of graduands who meet the criteria for the Indigenous Academic Excellence Award in the year under consideration will receive the Award.

4.1.4 The Indigenous Education and Research Centre Executive will forward their recommendations for recipients of the Award to the DVC IES.

4.1.5 The DVC IES will determine the recipients of the Award and send a letter of recognition to them.

4.1.6 The Indigenous Education and Research Centre will publish the list of recipients on its website.

5. Award with Distinction

5.1 Identification and Approval of Recipients

5.1.1 The Examinations and Graduations Office will identify via the Student Management System a list of eligible recipients of the Award with Distinction based on the criteria outlined in the Award Finalisation and Graduation Policy.

5.1.2 The Examinations and Graduations Office will send the list of eligible recipients to the Director, Student Services for approval to include the words “With Distinction” onto the eligible recipient’s Testamur.

5.1.3 If approved by the Director, Student Services, the Examinations and Graduations Office will administer the processing of the Awards with Distinction within the Student Management System in preparation for the issuing of documents and presenting at ceremony.

6. Presentation of Medals

6.1 The casting and procurement of medals are the responsibility of the Ceremonies Office. All medals must conform to designs approved by Council.

6.2 Recipients of the medals shall have the option to:

• be presented with the medal at the relevant ceremony; or
• have the medal sent directly to them; or
• have the medal made available for collection at their nearest JCU Campus.

6.3 The recipients of medals will have this noted on their Australian Higher Education Graduation Statements (AHEGS) and Official Academic Record.

7. For GPA determination refer to the Student Results Policy.

Related policy instruments

Award Finalisation and Graduation Policy

Student Results Policy

Coursework Award Finalisation, Conferral and Issuance Procedure

HDR Conferral Procedure

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Administration

NOTE:  Printed copies of this procedure are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History