A globally influential Australian investor, one of the only women in the world to run a privatised airport, and leaders in engineering, diplomatic services and agriculture are among 17 outstanding graduates who will receive Õ¬Äе¼º½’s 2014 Alumni Awards.
They will be celebrated at Õ¬Äе¼º½’s annual ceremony on Thursday 2 October 2014.
Thirteen of the recipients were selected by Õ¬Äе¼º½ including five for the Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards, five within the Distinguished Young Alumni Awards, an International Alumnus of the Year, an Indigenous Community Impact Award and a Colleges’ Õ¬Äе¼º½ Alumni Award.
The 2014 Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards will be awarded to:
- , Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and Managing Director;
- , former CEO and Managing Director of leading engineering company Cardno;
- , former High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea;
- , Portfolio Manager and Head of Global Value for First Eagle Investment Management in New York; and
- , senior leader in international agricultural research and food security.
The 13 recipients were nominated and endorsed by their peers and selected by a committee led by Õ¬Äе¼º½ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj.
“The award winners are all Õ¬Äе¼º½ graduates who have demonstrated their determination to succeed and make a positive impact on their communities,” Professor Høj said.
“Õ¬Äе¼º½ has more than 215,000 alumni spread across the globe, and this year’s award-winners are working to create a better world not only in Australia, but in the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.
“We are delighted that they are part of the University of Queensland family.
“They are an inspiration to other alumni, and to Õ¬Äе¼º½ staff and students.”
The alumni awards were introduced in 1992, and the first Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards were presented in 2013.
Previous award winners have included Academy Award-winning actor Geoffrey Rush, author David Malouf, Dow Chemical Company Chairman Andrew Liveris, leading melanoma researcher Professor Adéle Green AC, Wotif.com founders Graeme Wood AM and Andrew Brice AM, former Governor-General Dr Quentin Bryce AD and former Governor of Queensland Dr Penelope Wensley AC.
The Alumni Friends of Õ¬Äе¼º½ Inc. selected four award-recipients separately to Õ¬Äе¼º½, and these will also be presented at the Courting the Greats ceremony.
Click to register for Courting the Greats.
Full details of Õ¬Äе¼º½ 2014 Alumni Award-winners can be seen .
Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
- – Humanitarian and international veterinary scientist;
- - Venture Capitalist and Partner at Sequoia Capital;
- - Dedicated emergency clinician, medical advocate and educator;
- – Involved in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and
- - Multiple-award winning science journalist.
International Alumnus of the Year
- (Indonesia) - A highly recognised and acclaimed scientist in his homeland of Indonesia, and a passionate advocate of scientific learning.
Indigenous Community Impact Award
- - Professor of Law, a Commissioner of the NSW Land and Environment Court and a United Nations expert member of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples.
Colleges’ Õ¬Äе¼º½ Alumni Award
- (International House) - Passionate urban planner and advocate for his profession, with a lifelong commitment to changing the future for the better.
Alumni Friends of the University of Queensland Inc. Awards
Alumnus of the Year 

- (The Women's College) - One of the most respected public figures in Queensland who has an outstanding record of service to the Australian public and business community.
Graduates of the Year 

Each Graduate of the Year graduated with a perfect 7.0 GPA, First Class Honours and the University Medal.
- – Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering);
- – Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering);
- – Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
Further information: Mark Schroder – Manager, Marketing and Communications (Advancement) – 0403 481 758 or m.schroder@uq.edu.au