Nominations are open for the Griffith University 2021 Outstanding Alumni Awards.
These prestigious awards are held on an annual basis to recognise and acknowledge the diverse achievements of alumni, across their fields of endeavour and in their communities.
Award categories
There are four award categories:
- Outstanding Alumnus
- Outstanding Young Alumnus
- Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus
- Outstanding International Alumnus
For the Outstanding International Alumnus Award nominees must have completed at least 40 credit points of study at Griffith University and have at least five (5) years’ work experience since the completion of their first Griffith University degree. As a student they would have been enrolled as an international student. Nominations will be assessed on alignment with the broad selection criteria outlined below:
Sustained remarkable success in, and contribution to, their chosen industry/profession, showcased through professional positions, professional standing and recognition, as well as through industry developments, publications, presentations etc.
Substantial contribution to the community at local, state, national or international levels. This may be part of employment in their chosen profession or, working as a volunteer in the charitable sector or in other ways.
An outstanding character with demonstrable attributes in alignment with the values of Griffith University as outlined in the ‘Statement of Values and Commitments’.
Nomination process
Award nominations will be accepted from Griffith University staff, alumni and members of the community and are open to all graduates of Griffith University and its predecessor institutions. When nominations close, the academic groups will select their winners from each category. These winners will go on to be finalists in the overall University awards.
All award nominees must meet eligibility and selection criteria requirements and adhere to the award’s Terms and Conditions.
Past winners
Griffith University 2020 Outstanding International Alumnus winner: Zhariff Afandi
Zhariff Afandi was the Griffith University 2020 Outstanding International Alumnus winner. He is a renowned motivator, life coach, public speaker, extreme sportsman, author, father, entrepreneur and humanitarian.
Zhariff studied Psychology at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus, where he was well-liked and admired by his peers. He was often spotted at campus coffee shops or making the most of the Gold Coast lifestyle whilst learning to surf on a bodyboard he designed for himself. During his time in Australia, he also took the opportunity to obtain his international driver’s licence, in addition to securing a job working at the Centre of International Business Research.
His accolades post-graduation quickly mounted, as did his involvement with Malaysian ministries to develop programs to influence social change and innovation among youth communities.
In 2006, he was named ‘Youth of the Year’ by the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports, before being appointed as an advisor for the Minister of Youth and Sports in the National Youth Development Council. This was followed by similar honours in 2011 and 2012, when he received the ‘Perdana Youth of the Year’ award and was recognised by Malaysia’s Prime Minister as a National Youth Icon.
Zhariff has also been an instrumental member of various foundations and councils, including the National Productivity Council, Malaysia Entrepreneurship Foundation, and the National Youth Council.
Heavily focused on corporate social responsibility and improving the lives of others, he has uniquely applied his academic background in developmental psychology to entrepreneurial business ventures and benevolent endeavours.
Meet the past winners here.
Key dates
Nominations open: 8 March 2021 at 9 am
Nominations close: 3 May 2021 at 5 pm
Selection panel review period: 4 May onwards
Academic group winners announced: 1 June 2021
Awards presentation and overall University winners announced: 10 September 2021
To find out more, visit the website here.
