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

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

Contributions may be demonstrated in one or more of the following fields:

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

Award Divisions

This award is presented across the following age divisions:

  • Emerging Distinguished Alumni Award (Below 30 years old)
  • Established Distinguished Alumni Award (30–40 years old)
  • Distinguished Alumni Award (Above 40 years old)

Nominees will be assessed against peers within their respective age division while meeting the same award criteria.

A Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution who has demonstrated initiative and achieved outstanding success through the application of entrepreneurial talent, managerial excellence, innovation, and business leadership.

Achievement may be demonstrated through one or more of the following:

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

Award Divisions

This award is presented across the following age divisions:

  • Emerging Entrepreneur Award (Below 30 years old)
  • Established Entrepreneur Award (30–40 years old)
  • Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (Above 40 years old)

Nominees will be assessed against peers within their respective age division while meeting the same award criteria.

A Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution who has made significant and sustainable contributions towards addressing critical societal challenges and improving the wellbeing of communities.

Achievement may be demonstrated through one or more of the following:

  • Leadership and involvement in initiatives addressing key societal issues
  • Research, professional work, or expertise that has delivered measurable benefits to communities
  • Development, implementation, or support of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that create positive social impact
  • Advocacy, volunteerism, or community service that has contributed to lasting social change

Award Divisions

This award is presented across the following age divisions:

  • Emerging Community Leader Award (Below 30 years old)
  • Established Community Leader Award (30–40 years old)
  • Distinguished Community Achievement Award (Above 40 years old)

Nominees will be assessed against peers within their respective age division while meeting the same award criteria.

A Malaysian graduate of an Australian education institution who has demonstrated excellence and leadership in her chosen field while creating meaningful impact within her organisation, profession, or community, including advancing opportunities for women and girls.

Contributions may be demonstrated in one or more of the following fields:

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

Achievement may be demonstrated through one or more of the following:

  • Demonstrating leadership, influence, and a proven record of achievement, growth, and innovation in her profession or community
  • Mentoring and supporting the development of women and girls within her organisation, profession, or community
  • Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across areas such as gender, race, disability, sexuality, and age
  • Developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing women, girls, and the wider community

Award Divisions

This award is presented across the following age divisions:

  • Emerging Female Leader Award (Below 30 years old)
  • Established Female Leader Award (30–40 years old)
  • Distinguished Female Alumnus Award (Above 40 years old)

Nominees will be assessed against peers within their respective age division while meeting the same award criteria.

  • 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

Award Categories Matrix (for 2026)

Award Category Emerging
(<30)		 Established
(30–40)		 Distinguished
(>40)
Distinguished Alumni ✓ ✓ ✓
Entrepreneur ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Achievement ✓ ✓ ✓
Female Alumnus ✓ ✓ ✓
Australian University Alumni Chapter One Award

Individual nominees should select the award category most relevant to their achievements. Age divisions will be automatically determined based on the nominee's age as of 31 December of the award year.

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.

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
  • 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
  • Download and update the Document File Name: Before submitting, please rename the file according to the specific award structure:
    • For Individual Alumni Awards: Rename the file using the format 2026-MAAC-Award-[CategoryCode]_[NameOfParticipant].docx
      (Example: 2026-MAAC-Award-A1_JohnDoe.docx)
    • For Alumni Chapter Awards: Rename the file using the format 2026-MAAC-Chapter-Award_[University].docx
      (Example: 2026-MAAC-Chapter-Award_ABCUniversity.docx)
  • Submit via Email:
    • Email the nomination form to award@emaac.org and alumni.maac@gmail.com
    • Subject Title: "Alumni Award Nominations 2026 - [Name of Nominee/Chapter]"

*Nominations for 2026 are now open. The deadline for these nominations is by end of 15 October 2026.