Institute award (Higher Education) – 7.36.1.3

Procedure

Intent

This procedure describes the process by which the Institute Award for the Higher Education sector is awarded.

Scope

This procedure shall apply to Portfolios nominating a graduand for the Institute Award (HE) and to the graduands so nominated.

Procedure

Eligibility

(a). All students who successfully complete a first undergraduate course of three or four years full-time duration (or equivalent part-time) which is the highest level undergraduate course available in the particular discipline, and which is not a conversion course, are eligible.

(b). Students who transfer from another University must complete two full-time years (or equivalent part-time) before being eligible for consideration.

(c). Students must successfully complete their undergraduate course in the year immediately preceding the year of the Award.

(d). To be considered for the Award, a student must be nominated by her or his portfolio. Each portfolio may nominate one candidate for the Institute Award.

(e). Candidates must be able to attend an interview at the time set by RMIT and the successful candidate must be able to accept the Award personally at a conferring ceremony in the year of the Award. Candidates will be required to meet any costs incurred in attending for interview. In the case of a candidate living outside Australia, a conference telephone interview may be arranged.

Selection criteria

(a). The candidates shall be assessed on :

(i). leadership potential and initiative, and

(ii). academic record.

The relative importance of these two shall be in the ratio of 60:40.

(b). Preference may be given to those candidates who have completed the course in minimum time (having regard to the different circumstances of full-time students and part-time students) with the exception that consideration shall be given to candidates who have lost time through illness or other valid cause.

(c). Preference may also be given to those candidates who have completed all of their course at RMIT.

(d). The Committee may weight performance in the final year above that in earlier years.

Value and form of the award

The value of the Award will be identical to the value of the J N McNicol Prize (Operating Procedure 7.36.2.1).

The Award shall be in the following form :

(i). A cheque to the value of the Award ;

(ii). An Award Certificate.

The Award shall be awarded each year.

Management of the award

The Institute Award (H.E.) shall be administered by the Academic Registrar who shall ensure that :

(a). the standards for selection of suitable winners of the Institute Award (H.E.) are maintained;

(b). the Award is correctly awarded, and the aim of the Award is furthered.

The Academic Registrar is responsible for recommending the winner of the Award each year, with the assistance of a panel of senior academics.

The Awards Unit, on behalf of the Academic Registrar, shall establish and administer procedures for the nomination of candidates, for the selection processes, and for any other action required in connection with the Award.

Processes for the award

(a). During the first week of November (to coincide with the examination period and finalisation of results), the Awards Unit shall request one nomination for the Award from each of the portfolios.

(b). By the last working day of the year, Portfolio Executive Officers shall forward to the Awards Unit the name of the portfolio nominee for the Award, supported by the following information :

(i). A complete record of the nominee's official results ;

(ii). A written statement from the Portfolio in support of the nomination, highlighting the nominee's qualities of leadership potential and initiative ;

(iii). A written statement from the nominee in support of the nomination, highlighting her or his contribution to society and the RMIT community, together with any supporting documentation.

(c). All documentation must be complete and clearly legible. Unreadable, unclear or incomplete facsimile copies will not be accepted.

(d). Nominations received after the set closing date will not be accepted.

(e). During the third week in January the Awards Unit shall request nominations from half of the portfolios for a senior academic to assist in the selection of the winner of the Award. Each portfolio will be represented every second year. The Portfolio Executive Officer shall forward to the Assistant Registrar (Exams and Awards) the name of the senior academic nominated for the selection panel, by the last Wednesday in February.

(f). The Awards Unit will convene a meeting of the selection panel for the third Wednesday of March. Each candidate shall be invited to attend for an interview. Prior to the interview all candidates shall be forwarded a brochure on the Institute Award, a copy of their nomination, and a list of selection panel members.

(g). The Academic Registrar, or nominee, shall chair the selection meeting.

(h). Recognising that it is not possible to detect minor variations in academic attainments across different courses, the selection panel may wish to establish the academic equivalence of all applicants prior to interviewing them.

(i). The Academic Registrar (or nominee), with the assistance of the selection panel, shall interview each candidate and shall decide which candidate is to be recommended to receive the Award.

(j). The recommendation shall be referred to the April meeting of the Academic Board.

(k). Immediately following approval of the Award winner by Academic Board, the Awards Unit shall advise each candidate of the decision of the selection panel. The Portfolios shall be advised of the name of the successful candidate, the amount of the Award and other relevant information.

(l). The Awards Unit shall arrange for the Award to be presented at an appropriate Ceremony.

(m). The Awards Unit shall maintain a register of Institute Award (Higher Education) winners and enter the relevant details on the student data base.

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