• Section 1 - Background Information
• Section 2 - Eligibility for Nomination
• Section 3 - Application of Policy
• Section 4 - Award Committee
• The Award Committee will comprise:
• Section 5 - Selection Process
• Section 6 - Communication
• Section 7 - Review
• Section 8 - Associated Information

Section 1 - Background Information

(1) The University’s recognition of student achievement in doctoral education through the presentation of a Vice-Chancellor’s Award raises the profile of research and research training being successfully undertaken by ACU’s doctoral candidates. The award acknowledges an excellent contribution to knowledge. Recipients of the award are likely to benefit by being more competitive in the employment sector. Recognition of high achieving doctoral graduands and graduates is important in raising the aspirations of all students, improving the range of employment destinations, and acknowledging the importance of quality doctoral completions to the University’s research outcomes.

Section 2 - Eligibility for Nomination

(2) To be eligible for nomination for the award, the effective completion date of the degree, that is, the date when graduation is approved by the Chair, Academic Board, must lie in the period of January 1 to December 31 inclusive for the award year.

(3) Recognising the differences that exist between the Doctor of Philosophy (thesis only) and other doctorates that comprise a thesis as well as coursework or creative project, the following additional eligibility criteria will apply:

1. Doctor of Philosophy by traditional thesis or with publication; Doctor of Philosophy by creative project: The University Research Committee (URC) must have awarded a grade of ‘pass without amendment’ or higher for the thesis.
2. Doctorate with coursework (Doctor of Education; Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought): the candidate must have obtained a GPA of 6.3 or higher in the doctoral coursework units; and URC must have awarded a grade of ‘pass without amendment’ or higher for the thesis.

Section 3 - Application of Policy

(4) Each Faculty may nominate one eligible graduand or graduate for the award. Excellence will be judged by referring to the following as appropriate:

1. examiners’ reports of thesis or examiners’ reports of thesis and creative project;
2. overall significance of the work in the field as indicated by the examiners’ reports; and
3. supporting statement from the principal supervisor of no more than one page with an endorsement by the relevant Head of School / Research Institute Director.

(5) The recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Doctoral Training will receive a certificate and an award of $1,000.

(6) Normally, one award will be granted annually to eligible nominees. No award will be made if the Award Committee deems that it is unable to make a recommendation of demonstrated excellence based on the selection criteria.

Section 4 - Award Committee

The Award Committee will comprise:

1. the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) (PVCR) and
2. the Faculty Associate Dean, Research (ADR)

Section 5 - Selection Process

(7) A report of potentially eligible candidates will be provided by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) (ODVCRE) to the ADR for each Faculty by the beginning of the second week of January.

(8) Each Faculty will convene a Committee chaired by the ADR to identify and rank eligible graduands and graduates. The Chair of each Faculty Committee will provide a written nomination of their Faculty's top ranked eligible graduand or graduate to the ODVCRE by the end of January. 

(9) The ODVCRE will facilitate the Award Committee’s consideration of the Faculty nominations.

(10) The Award Committee will meet in February to consider the Faculty nominations.

(11) The Award Committee will make a recommendation to the University Research Committee (URC).

Section 6 - Communication

(12) The announcement of the award will normally be made at the first URC meeting of the year.

(13) The award will normally be announced at the graduation of the awardee, or next available graduation ceremony, and will be listed in the Graduation booklet.

(14) Marketing and External Relations will be responsible for the publicity for the award.

Section 7 - Review

(15) Unless otherwise indicated, this Policy will still apply beyond the review date.

Section 8 - Associated Information

(16) For related legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines and any supporting resources please refer to the Associated Information tab.