Alumni Awards

About Alumni Awards

The Australian Alumni Awards in Malaysia was conceived after the Australian High Commission in Malaysia initiated the Malaysian Education Personality of the Year Award in 2010 which was presented at the Australian Alumni Gala Dinner organised by the Australian High Commission in conjunction with the Study in Australia Education Exhibition.

The baton was subsequently passed to the Malaysian Australian Alumni Council (MAAC) and in 2011, during the inaugural Australian Alumni Gala Dinner organised by the MAAC, the Education Personality Award was again presented by the Australian High Commission in Malaysia. In 2012, the award was renamed the Australian Education Achievement Award and in 2013, the Australian High Commission in Malaysia invited the MAAC to jointly present the awards where two (2) additional awards were given out, that is, the Young Entrepreneur Award and the Australian Alumni Chapter Award.

In 2014, the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Community Achievement Award were established and in 2017, the then Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, His Excellency Mr Rod Smith added the Distinguished Young Alumni Award after deliberating between two (2) very good nominees for the Distinguished Alumni Award where one of the nominees was rather young. The Australian Alumni Awards have come a long way since its inception in 2010 with only one (1) award which subsequently evolved to five (5) awards, and in 2022 after the hiatus of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Female Alumnus of the Year award was added to the list.

Currently six (6) awards will be presented annually at the Australian Alumni Gala Dinner and these awards are the only Australian Alumni specific awards held to recognise and honour exceptional Malaysian graduates from Australian universities and institutes of higher learning. It also showcases excellence in Australian tertiary education.

Award Categories

Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution whose outstanding achievements and success in his/her chosen field have earned him/her national or international prominence.

Contributions can include any of the following fields:

  • Science, Technology and/ or
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Education
  • Government/ Public
  • Administration
  • Culture/ the Arts
  • Defence

Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution, under the age of 40 as of December 31st of the year being nominated, who has enhanced the reputation of the university through their outstanding professional achievements, personal accomplishments, and/or their loyal service to their alma mater.

Contributions can include one or more of the following ways:

  • Exceptional accomplishment in chosen field
  • Exceptional service in local, state or national affairs
  • Exceptional service in support of the advancement and continued excellence of the university

Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution, under the age of 40 as of December 31st of the year being nominated, who has demonstrated initiative and succeeded in their chosen field through outstanding application of talent, managerial skills and innovation, against any of the following criteria:

  • Business Acumen
  • Entrepreneurial Skills
  • Commercial Success
  • Business Innovation/ Consumer Value
  • Corporate Social Responsibility

Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution who has made significant and sustainable contribution towards critical issues in society, against any of the following criteria:

  • Whose community involvement is driven in response to key societal issues
  • Whose research, work and/or expertise demonstrated benefit to the community
  • Is working or involved with corporate social responsibility projects which are beneficial to the community at large

Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution who has excelled and shown leadership in her chosen field, and demonstrated a commitment to creating impact in her organisation and/ or community, including for the empowerment of women and girls.

Contributions can include any of the following fields:

  • Science, Technology and/or
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Education
  • Government/Public
  • Administration
  • Culture/the Arts
  • Defence

where she must:

  • Exhibit leadership skills and a proven track record of growth, success and influence in her profession or community that led to change and/ or innovation in her field of expertise
  • Demonstrated mentorship to other women and girls in her organisation or community or supported women’s empowerment in her organisation or community
  • Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, including but not limited to gender, race, disability, sexuality and age
  • Demonstrated innovative approaches to addressing challenges facing women, girls and the wider community

  • All nominations must be supported by the University of the respective association/ chapter
  • Self-nominations are not allowed and will be disqualified.
  • Attachments should not be more than five (5) pages
  • Anything more than five (5) pages will be disregarded and only the first five (5) pages will be considered

Selection Criteria

This award recognises an alumni chapter/association that has increased awareness of the significant role alumni play in strengthening the Australia – Malaysia relationship and demonstrated the lasting impact of alumni engagement programs. The alumni association/chapter must:

  • Be a Council Member or Council Associate of The Malaysian Australian Alumni Council (MAAC)
  • Have an online presence through social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram, YouTube, Twitter, etc)
  • Enhance the awareness of the value of alumni within their respective association/ chapter
  • Have completed a project or activity over the preceding twelve (12) months that had an impact on a local or international community and involved a majority of the association/ chapter’s members in the areas of the arts, education, environment, finance, health, social or volunteerism
  • Demonstrate collaboration amongst and contribution to members of the association/ chapter on a one-off or annual basis with evidence of one or more creative and innovative approach relating to alumni engagement activities
  • Support the objective of The MAAC and have involved The MAAC directly or indirectly in one or more of their events/ activities over the preceding twelve (12) months

How to Nominate

The annual Australian Alumni Awards are usually open for nomination in July and closes in October with the shortlisting of finalists being done between October and November by the senior officials of the Australian High Commission in Malaysia in consultation with the President and the three (3) Vice Presidents of the MAAC. Winners will be selected by the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia in consultation with the President of the MAAC.

When nominations are open, the relevant nomination forms will be made available through the MAAC website; social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram; email direct marketing campaigns; Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) Market Information Package (MIP) and the Australian High Commission’s social media platforms.

Please read the following guidelines before submitting a nomination to avoid any disqualifications:

  • All nominees must be Malaysians and residing in Malaysia
  • Current Executive Committee and Honorary Advisors of the MAAC are not eligible for nominations
  • Only a maximum of FIVE (5) nominations are to be submitted by each Nominator from each category of awards
  • Self-nominations are not allowed and will be disqualified
  • Attachments should not be more than five (5) pages. Anything more than five (5) pages will be disregarded and only the first five (5) pages will be considered

*Nominations for 2024 are now open. The deadline for these nominations is Monday, 28 October 2024.