Honorary Doctorates
The award of honorary doctorates is governed by the policy and guidelines on Honorary Awards and Honours Conferred by the University Council and is on the recommendation of the Honours and Appointments Committee of Council.
In summary, Honorary Doctorates are considered for award annually by Council in recognition of noteworthy contributions to society by alumni or other members of the community with whom the University has a substantial association. Honorary Doctorates may be awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in Commerce, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Laws, Letters, Music, or Science. Council may, at its discretion, confer more than one award or no awards in any calendar year.
Nominees for an Honorary Doctorate will normally be graduates of the University or have had other substantial association with the University.
Nominees will be people who the University recognises within the wider national and international community and who have made outstanding contributions to their field of endeavour, to the wellbeing and betterment of society or to cultural development and understanding. Note: Awards are not generally made posthumously or to serving politicians or current staff.
The names of possible recipients may be raised by members of Council, current staff, or the UC Foundation, initially with the University Registrar, who will ensure the Executive Committee of Council discuss the nomination informally before inviting a formal nomination through the Honours and Appointments Committee. Nomination is by way of submitting a brief resume, letter of support, and any other supporting evidence.
The nomination forwarded to the University Registrar must be kept in strictest confidence until the University Council has determined to accept or reject the nomination and the award has been announced publicly.
Council may revoke the award of an Honorary Doctorate in the case of criminal offence charges or fraud against the title holder, or if the title holder is engaged in activities which bring or have brought disrepute to the University.
Other honours and awards
While nominations for award of the titles Professor Emeritus/Emerita and Canterbury Distinguished Professsor and of the Teaching, Research and Innovation Medals are normally made direct to Council, the Committee may on occasion be consulted about them. The full procedures can be found in the Learning and Teaching and Research Committee terms of reference, but are outlined below.
Professor Emeritus/Emerita
Award of the title Professor Emeritus/Emerita is governed by the policy and guidelines on Honorary Awards and Honours Conferred by the University Council. Nominations are made directly from the Vice-Chancellor to the University Council.
In summary, Council may by resolution, in recognition of academic service to the University, present the title of Professor Emeritus/Emerita of the University.
Professor Emeritus/Emerita is an honorary title presented to a person on retirement and does not include the right to any form of emolument from the University.
The title of Professor Emeritus/Emerita shall be awarded by the University Council and will endure for the life of the recipient unless otherwise determined by Council.
Council may revoke the award of Professor Emeritus/Emerita in the case of criminal offence charges or fraud against the title holder, or if the title holder is engaged in activities which bring or have brought disrepute to the University.
Council normally grants the title Professor Emeritus/Emerita to professors who retire after at least ten years as a Professor. Council may also grant the title Professor Emeritus/Emerita to academic staff who have served the University of Canterbury for at least 20 years and have retired having reached the rank of Professor.
Canterbury Distinguished Professor
Award of the title Canterbury Distinguished Professor is governed by the policy and guidelines on Honorary Awards and Honours Conferred by the University Council. Nominations are made directly from the Vice-Chancellor to the University Council.
In summary, award of the title recognises evidence of outstanding international recognition and achievement and the exceptionally prestigious position of occasional academic visitors to the University, such as Nobel Laureates.
The title of Canterbury Distinguished Professor shall be presented by Council and will endure for the life of the award recipient unless otherwise determined by Council.
Teaching, Research and Innovation Medals
The Teaching, Research and Innovation Medals are awards of Council governed by criteria set by the Learning and Teaching Committee and the Research Committee. Nominations are made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) directly to Council.
Council reserves the right to make other awards at its discretion and to provide University support for awards made by other bodies as appropriate.
