Source: Auckland University of Technology
10 Nov, 2026
More than 200 nominations from New Zealand and around the world have been received for the inaugural AUT Alumni Awards, recognising graduates whose achievements are making a difference in their professions, industries and communities.
Recipients will be announced on 20 November at the first awards ceremony, celebrating alumni whose leadership, innovation, service and influence are creating meaningful impact in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
The awards will be presented across five categories: the Outstanding Alumni Award, Community Leadership Award, Young Alumni Achievement Award, Aronui Impact Award and Technology and Innovation Award. Together, they recognise graduates at different career stages whose work is creating positive change.
The awards recognise a broad range of achievement, celebrating professional excellence, technology and innovation, community leadership, emerging talent and Māori and Indigenous impact.
More than 200,000 graduates now form AUT’s global alumni community, with former students living and working across New Zealand and around the world.
AUT Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement Amy Malcolm says the response to the inaugural awards has highlighted the extraordinary breadth of achievement across AUT’s alumni network.
“The quality and diversity of nominations has been remarkable. We’ve heard stories of graduates leading organisations, building businesses, advancing technology, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others.
“One of the things that makes AUT special is the different paths our graduates take. These awards are an opportunity to celebrate that diversity and recognise alumni whose work is making a difference.”
The judging panel reviewed nominations spanning a wide range of industries, professions and communities.
Amy says the nominations demonstrate the many ways alumni are creating impact through their work.
“What stood out in the nominations was not only the scale of achievement, but the diversity of contributions represented. The nominees include innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, community leaders and emerging talent, each creating impact in different ways.
“Together, they reflect the many paths our graduates take and the contribution they are making through leadership, service, innovation and community impact.”
Recipients of the inaugural AUT Alumni Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on 20 November.
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Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/11/10/new-awards-celebrate-alumni-impact/