The Victoria University Student Leadership Awards recognise and celebrate our students for their leadership roles and outstanding achievements in co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

You are an ideal candidate if you:

  • play a significant leadership role within or beyond Victoria University
  • improve the quality of the student experience.

Applications for the 2020 Student Leadership Awards have now closed.

Award recipients will be announced at the virtual Student Leadership Awards ceremony on Thursday 19 November 2020.

A large indoor photo of a diverse group of approx 20 award winners

Awards ceremony

The virtual Student Leadership Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 19 November 2020.

Applicants who have been shortlisted in their award category will be invited to attend the ceremony and may be asked to prepare additional materials. Details on this will be confirmed closer to the date.

Award recipients will be announced at the ceremony.

Applications

All students enrolled in any unit of study during the 2020 calendar year at Victoria University and Victoria University Polytechnic (VU) are eligible to apply for a Student Leadership Award.

The Student Leadership Awards do not cover sporting or academic achievements, please refer to the VU Sport Awards, or contact your discipline college for information about college academic awards.

Applicants must be prepared to give evidence that:

  • they have been or are currently enrolled during 2020
  • they have not been the subject of any substantiated misconduct claims.

Previous award recipients cannot apply for the same award in the subsequent year.

You may attach up to three A4 pages of supporting evidence as part of your application (e.g. testimonials, references, photographs, press cuttings etc.)

You may also submit one video of up to 4 minutes duration as additional supporting evidence. 

 

When answering the Selection Criteria it is recommended that you apply the STAR technique.

The STAR technique provides a framework for presenting information in response to Selection Criteria.  It’s a way of providing clear examples or evidence of your skills, knowledge and approach to work.  For each criterion, use the following elements to structure your answers:

Situation

Describe the situation/environment you were in.

Task

What goal were you working toward?

Action

What did you do? Set out the steps you took to achieve the result. Be detailed.

Result

What was the outcome? What did you accomplish? Did you chaieve the goal you set out to achieve? What did you learn? Promote yourself and your achievements.

Application writing assistance

The Student Leadership team is available for one-on-one appointments (via Zoom or Webex) to assist you with writing and submitting your application.

Email [email protected] to ask questions about the application process or to make an appointment for assistance.

Related

Contact the Student Leadership team

Individual awards

This award recognises a current Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander VU student for their contribution to Victoria University and to the wider Aboriginal community.

The recipient of the Moondani Balluk Aboriginal Student Award will be selected by Moondani Balluk.

The recipient of this award will receive a $300 prize.

This award recognises an outstanding Student as Staff (SaS) employee for their outstanding work performance or service to the University.

The recipient of this award will receive a $300 prize. 

Additional eligibility criteria

Must have worked in a Student as Staff role at VU in 2020.

Background info

Describe your role within VU as a Student as Staff.

Selection criteria

  1. Describe how your activities have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of the student experience within and/or beyond VU.
  2. Describe a situation(s) where you have implemented positive change through your role as a Student as Staff.
  3. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  4. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your critical thinking / problem solving and/or creativity skills
  5. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your persistence, adaptability and/or social and cultural awareness.

Additional evidence

Must supply a written reference from current VU supervisor or provide details for us to complete a reference check.

 

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a current Victoria University student to the Victoria University and/or broader community through volunteering.The applicant must have completed a volunteer activity either through VU or in the community during 2020. 

The recipient of this award will receive a $300 prize.

Selection criteria

  1. Describe how you found and engaged in the volunteer activities.
  2. Describe the volunteering activities you undertook.
  3. Describe how your involvement as a volunteer benefited the VU and/or broader community and tell us what the positive impact was.
  4. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  5. Tell us about the skills you have developed through participating in volunteering activities.

Additional evidence

Must supply a written reference from Volunteer Supervisor or provide details for us to complete a reference check.

 

Related

VU Spirit awards

The VU Spirit awards recognise students who have gone above and beyond in their leadership and engagement activities at Victoria University.  There are four student categories for the VU Spirit Award:

  • Victoria University Polytechnic student
  • Undergraduate student
  • Postgraduate student
  • International student.

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a current VU international student to the VU community; this student embraces what it means to be a international student at Victoria University: the University of Opportunity and Success.

Additional eligibility criteria

Must be an International student studying at a VU campus within Australia.

Selection criteria

  1. Describe what you have done to benefit the VU and/or broader international student community and tell us what the impact was.
  2. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  3. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your critical thinking / problem solving and/or creativity skills
  4. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your communication and/or collaboration skills
  5. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your persistence, adaptability and/or social and cultural awareness.

 

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a current VU undergraduate student to the VU community; this student embraces what it means to be a undergraduate student at Victoria University: the University of Opportunity and Success.

The recipient of this award will receive a $300 prize.

Additional eligibility criteria

Must be undergraduate student.

Selection criteria

  1. Describe what you have done to benefit the VU and/or broader undergraduate student community and tell us what the impact was.
  2. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  3. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your critical thinking / problem solving and/or creativity skills
  4. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your communication and/or collaboration skills
  5. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your persistence, adaptability and/or social and cultural awareness.

 

This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a current VU postgraduate student to the VU community; this student embraces what it means to be a postgraduate student at Victoria University: the University of Opportunity and Success.

The recipient of this award will receive a $300 prize.

Additional eligibility criteria

Must be Postgraduate student.

Selection Criteria

  1. Describe what you have done to benefit the VU and/or broader postgraduate student community and tell us what the impact was.
  2. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  3. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your critical thinking / problem solving and/or creativity skills
  4. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your communication and/or collaboration skills
  5. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your persistence, adaptability and/or social and cultural awareness.

This award recognises outstanding leadership in co-curricular and/or extracurricular activities and involvements of a Victoria University Polytechnic student.

The recipient of this award will receive a $300 prize.

Additional eligibility criteria

Must be Victoria University Polytechnic student.

Selection Criteria

  1. Describe what you have done to benefit the VU and/or broader VU Polytechnic/TAFE student community and tell us what the impact was.
  2. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  3. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your critical thinking / problem solving and/or creativity skills
  4. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your communication and/or collaboration skills
  5. Tell us about how participating in these activities helped you develop your persistence, adaptability and/or social and cultural awareness.

 

Volunteers picking up rubbish

Related

Team awards

Established in 2018, the Best New Club award recognises the outstanding achievements of a Student Group that was established this year and has benefited its members and the wider VU community. 

The recipients of this award will receive a $600 team prize.

Additional eligibility criteria

  • Must be a Student Group that newly affiliated in 2020
  • Must have had no breaches of the VU Student Leadership & Representation Policy
  • Must have hosted at least one event (including online events) in 2020
  • Must pass the 2020 Clubs Audit.

Selection criteria

  1. Describe the mission/purpose of your Club/Society/Association and how your activities this year have served this mission.
  2. Describe how your Club’s activities have benefited your members this year.
  3. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  4. Provide examples of how your executive committee has worked well as a team this year.

 

Established in 2018, the Club of the Year Award recognises outstanding Student Groups for their achievements and success in meeting their Clubs mission.

The recipients of this award will receive a $600 team prize.

Additional eligibility criteria

  • Must have had no breaches of the VU Student Leadership & Representation Policy
  • Must have attended an O-Fest activity (including online events) in 2020
  • Must have hosted 2+ events (including online events) in 2020
  • Must pass 2020 Clubs Audit

Selection criteria

  1. Describe your club mission/purpose and how your activities have served this mission.
  1. Tell us how your activities have benefited your members this year.
  1. Describe how your Club has benefited the VU and/or broader community in 2020.
  1. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  1. Provide examples of how your executive committee has worked well as a team this year.

 

Established in 2019, the Best Club Promotion Award recognises the most creative and successful Student Group promotional activity.

The recipients of this award will receive a $200 team prize.

Additional eligibility criteria

  • Must have had no breaches of the VU Student Leadership & Representation Policy
  • Must have attended an O-Fest activity (including online events) in 2020
  • Must pass 2020 Clubs Audit.

Selection Criteria

  1. Describe your club mission/purpose and how your activities have served this mission.
  1. Tell us how your activities have benefited your members this year.
  1. Describe your promotional activity and provide evidence of why it was a successful promotion.

Things to consider

  • What was the objective of your Clubs promotions?
  • How did you measure that you achieved your objective?
  • What did you learn from this activity?

 

Greek Club at O-Fest 2020

Related

Special awards

This award recognises an individual or group of current Victoria University students for their innovative contribution to the VU community.

The recipient of this award will receive a $300 prize for an individual or a $600 prize for a team.

Selection criteria

  1. Describe how your team’s activities have benefited the VU community and/or broader community and tell us what the impact was.
  1. Describe how your team’s developments have resulted in learning for your team and/or others.
  1. Tell us how your activities align with one or more of VU's Values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together.
  1. Describe what problem your project aimed to solve and how it addressed that problem in an innovative way.

 

Presented by Alumni Relations

The Victoria University Alumni community includes 254,000 graduates living and working in over 136 countries. If you are a graduate from VU, Victoria University Polytechnic or any of our predecessor institutions you automatically become a lifelong member of our alumni community.

Our alumni live the VU values of Always WEST: Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, being Together every day, and this award, proudly supported by the Alumni Relations team, has been designed to help the recipient receive the best chance of achieving their goals as they transition from student to employee.

This peak award includes a 12 month mentorship from an alumni leader in your industry and a prize to help you kick start your professional wardrobe.

Eligibility criteria

  • Must be a student at Victoria University completing or just completed their FINAL year of study in 2020
  • Must have participated in at least one VU Leadership Activity (e.g. LEAD Program, Student Leadership Council, Clubs Executive, VU Academy, VU Hanger, Talent Connect etc.)

Selection criteria

  1. Outline how you have made strong progress with your academic pursuits during your time at VU.
  1. Describe how you have made clear and positive voluntary contributions to their community; which may be the student community and/or the broader community. Please differentiate as clearly as possible between voluntary and paid work.
  1. Please give examples of how you operate in a way that encourages and supports inclusion, diversity, excellence and respect.
  1. Outline how you plan to interact with, and get the most from, your mentor experience if you are the recipient of the award.
  1. Provide any further information to support your nomination which has not already been provided in the Award criteria responses. This may include, for example, any particular challenges you have overcome in your journey to success and any information not covered by the Award criteria that may support the overall nomination.

Optional additional information

Provide supporting testimonials from lecturers, colleagues, community leaders or peers to demonstrate why you are deserving of this award.

Mr Raj Kannan is one of Victoria University’s distinguished 90 Legends. He graduated from Footscray Institute of Technology in 1988 with a Bachelor of Engineering.  He was President of the Overseas Student Association and Co-President of the Student Representative Council and involved in other student leadership activities.  Mr Kannan believes that the leadership experience he gained at FIT was invaluable to his later career and as such he is passionate about giving back to the University.

As a result Mr Kannan has established a scholarship that will support and encourage students to undertake leadership activities at VU. This prestigious award comes with a prize in the form of a $5,000 scholarship.

Additional eligibility criteria

  • Must be a student enrolled full time at Victoria University and not in the first or final year of study
  • Must have participated in at least one VU Leadership Activity (e.g. LEAD program, Student Leadership Council, Clubs Executive, VU Academy, VU Hanger etc.).

Selection criteria

  1. Provide evidence of when you have demonstrated leadership that benefited your fellow students and the VU community.
  1. Provide evidence of participation in causes that champion social inclusion, cultural diversity, and equity.
  1. How do you take responsibility for your professional self-development?
  1. Articulate how you would use this scholarship for your personal/professional development or to further your education.

Optional

Provide supporting testimonials from peers to demonstrate why you are deserving of this award.

Recipient obligations

The recipient will be required to provide a report to the Scholarships office for VU and the donor showcasing their activities and impact of receiving the award.

The recipient will be required to sit on the Selection Panel to determine the Raj Kannan Leadership Scholarship recipient for the following year.

The recipient will also have the opportunity to participate in the Student Leadership Awards ceremony as a presenter or student host.

 

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