• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Part A - Call for Nominations
• Part B - Eligibility for Awards
• Part C - Nomination Process and Submissions
• Part D - Award Categories and Nature of Prize
• Part E - Funding & Expenditure
• Part F - Administration of the Awards Scheme
• Part G - The Awards Panel
• Part H - Dissemination of Outcomes
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) The primary purpose of the UWS Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards is to recognise and reward the excellent achievements of UWS staff.

(2) The Awards are intended to:

1. Recognise and reward excellence
2. Instil notions of best-practice and excellence all aspects of work at UWS
3. Boost morale and productivity of staff
4. Identify and support UWS nominees for other award schemes
5. Foster ongoing professional development
6. Encourage loyalty and commitment to UWS
7. Provide a platform to showcase staff achievements.

(3) The Awards will support the strategic goals of the University and will act as a channel for monitoring and celebrating achievement by groups and teams, although individual awards could be made.

Section 2 - Definitions

(4) Nil.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - Call for Nominations

(5) The Vice Chancellor will call for nominations each year for awards to university staff whose outstanding dedication, creativity and excellence in performance and service have had, or are having a significant impact on the university’s progress towards the achievement of its mission.

(6) The award is available to:

1. teams who demonstrate the capacity to collaborate effectively towards shared goals and who achieve excellence in outcomes in the nominated area of activity, and
2. individuals who demonstrate the capacity to work innovatively and in an exemplary manner and who achieve excellence in the nominated area of activity, and
3. teams or individuals who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to service both within and beyond the institution.

Part B - Eligibility for Awards

(7) Currently employed full or part-time staff of the University who have worked at UWS for a minimum of 2 years are eligible for individual nomination, or as leaders of team nominations.

(8) For team nominations, staff who do not satisfy these eligibility criteria, but whose contribution to the Award initiative is to be acknowledged, may be included as members of a team nomination.

(9) Winners of awards (either individuals or teams) in a particular category are not eligible for nomination (as an individual or team leader) in the following year in the same category. However, previous recipients of highly commended and commended nominations can reapply. These nominations will be required to demonstrate progress from their previous year’s submissions.

(10) Note: Staff employed as designated officers with a primary role to establish and implement indicatives and policies in areas relating to the Teaching Awards, Postgraduate Research Training and Supervision Awards, or Social Justice Awards would not normally be eligible for individual nomination or as the leader of a team nomination, although their contributions to a team initiative can be acknowledged in team membership.

Part C - Nomination Process and Submissions

(11) Excellence awards are intended to recognise achievements over the previous 1-3 year period, although in some categories of award it is anticipated that submissions may include briefly summarised background material from longer than 3 years ago in order to contextualise these achievements.

(12) Nominations must be made on the forms designated for each Award and available through the UWS website. Advice and assistance in the preparation of submissions is available from the relevant support units for each category of Award.

(13) The submission itself comprises three main sections: the forms to be completed by the nominator(s), the nominee(s), and the relevant divisional head(s); the case for excellence, showing how the achievements meet the criteria for excellence; and the evidence which supports the case for excellence. Details relating to these sections in the submission can be found in the Guidelines, and on the forms and templates provided.

Part D - Award Categories and Nature of Prize

(14) There are six categories of Award, and several levels of Award are available each year.

1. Excellence in Teaching
2. Excellence in Professional Service
3. Excellence in Postgraduate Research Training and Supervision
4. Excellence in Service to Students
5. Excellence in Social Justice
6. Excellence in Regional & Community Engagement

(15) In each category there will be only one Winner, up to two Highly Commended, and up to two Commended awards. Awards need not necessarily be made in every category or at every level. There will be only one trophy for the winning award in each category, whether for an individual or a team award. However, at all levels of award to teams, each team member will receive a framed certificate listing the names of all team members.

Part E - Funding & Expenditure

(16) The total allocation of funds for the Awards and their distribution across the Award categories will be determined on an annual basis and reviewed yearly. Award funds are intended to be spent on either the further development of the initiatives(s) for which the Award has been conferred, or the further professional development of the staff nominee(s). Award funds are expected to be spent within one calendar year. Under certain circumstances, where there is reasonable justification, recipients may formally request an extension for a specified period in which funds may be spent. The Guidelines prescribe conditions for expenditure and acquittal of the Award funds.

Part F - Administration of the Awards Scheme

(17) Overall administrative co-ordination of the Awards scheme will be undertaken by the Division of Corporate Services, through liaison with Divisional units with primary support responsibilities in the areas of each Award. The guidelines outline roles and responsibilities of units, as well as the annual timeline for the scheme.

Part G - The Awards Panel

(18) The membership of the Awards panels is outlined in the table. Where members are unavailable, the relevant Board or Committee chair, or the Vice-Chancellor, will approve substitute members. Each Awards Panel will consider nominations against the specified selection criteria and will make recommendations, justified against these criteria, to the Vice-Chancellor.

Part H - Dissemination of Outcomes

(19) Awards will be presented at a suitable ceremony each year. Announcements about Award recipients will be disseminated broadly. Additionally, Award recipients will be invited to prepare a written account about their achievements and innovations and/or make presentations at suitable occasions and forums.

Section 4 - Procedures

(20) Nil.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(21) Refer to the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards Guidelines.