University of Newcastle graduate Yasser Hamed, who developed animation software tools for the feature film Happy Feet and Alice in Wonderland, is one of three finalists for the 35th Newton-John Alumni Award, which will be announced tomorrow night.
He is one of 23 distinguished graduates named as finalists in this year’s prestigious Alumni Awards which recognise inspiring achievements in eight categories.
The Newton-John Award, presented to a graduate displaying innovation or creativity in any field that has improved life, is named after former University Vice-President, the late Brin Newton-John. His wife Valerie and son Dr Toby Newton-John will present the award.
Nick Mitzevich is a Newton-John Award finalist, recognising his achievements as the youngest director of the Art Gallery of South Australia in its 129 year history, while Mark Arkinstall is nominated for his contribution to the civil engineering industry and work on the Beijing Olympics Watercube.
Mr Hamed, 29, is also a finalist for the inaugural Young Alumni Award, which has five finalists including Stephen Priestley, 27, in recognition of his outstanding achievement in the finance industry. The former Dungog student was named number one Top Financial Adviser by Smart Investor Magazine last year. Sarah Kemp, who co-founded the Hunter Young Energy Professionals, is also in line for the Young Alumni Award.
Other finalists’ achievements include internationally-recognised work on ageing women’s health, contributions to reproductive medicine, driving investment and economic development in NSW and the urban renewal of Singapore. A second inaugural award this year is the Indigenous Alumni Award.
The Convocation Medal for Professional Excellence
The Convocation Medal for Professional Excellence is awarded to a graduate with an outstanding record of professional excellence in leadership, knowledge and/or professional practise.
Finalists:
Professor Julie Byles
Director of the Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing and co- Director of the Newcastle Institute of Public Health
Cheong-Chua Koon Hean
CEO, Urban Redevelopment Authority and Deputy Secretary (Special Duties), Ministry of National Development, Singapore (currently CEO Housing and Development Board)
Professor Fengming Zhang
Professor, Department of Physics, Nanjing University; Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer, Tianwei New Energy Holdings Co Ltd
Associate Professor Shuguang Wang
Director (Research) Institute of Sociology, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences
Newton-John Award
The Newton-John Award is presented to a graduate displaying innovation or creativity in any field that has improved life, particularly in the Newcastle or Hunter region.
Finalists:
Nick Mitzevich
Director - Art Gallery of South Australia
Mark Arkinstall
Australasian Regional Leader of the Advanced Technology and Research group within Arup
Yasser Hamed
Senior Technical Director - Walt Disney Feature Animation
Alumni Award for Exceptional Community Service
The Alumni Award for Exceptional Community Service recognises the work of an outstanding individual who has made a significant contribution to the University or Hunter communities.
Finalists:
Kerrell Bourne
Team Leader University of Newcastle – Family Action Centre
Robert Nelson
Founder of the University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge
Indigenous Alumni Award – NEW in 2010
The Indigenous Alumni Award recognises outstanding achievement and/or contribution made by an Indigenous Alumnus in their chosen field that demonstrates initiative and excellence.
Finalists:
Dr Jaquelyne Hughes
Doctor of Medicine and current PhD Student, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin
David Williams
Teacher, Utopia School, Northern Territory
Alumni Award for International Leadership
The Alumni Award for International Leadership recognises an outstanding graduate who has made significant contributions as a leader in international business, commerce, industry or public service
Finalists:
Associate Professor Zhou Yun
Director of International Cooperation, Chinese Research Academy of Social Science
Dr Anthony Diallo
Chairman and CEO of Sahara
Associate Professor Shuguang Wang
Director (Research) Institute of Sociology, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences
Alumni Award for National Leadership
The Alumni Award for National Leadership recognises an outstanding graduate who has made significant contributions as a leader in national business, commerce, industry or public service.
Finalists:
Mr Gerry Collins
Executive Producer ABC Radio Sport (Queensland)
Dr Richard Sheldrake (MScAgr PhD FASM FAICD)
Director-General NSW Department of Industry and Investment
Nick Mitzevich
Director - Art Gallery of South Australia
Alumni Award for Regional Leadership
The Alumni Award for Regional Leadership recognises an outstanding graduate who has made significant contributions as a leader in regional business, commerce, industry or public service.
Finalists:
Professor Anne Rees
Head of School, School of Law, Deakin University
Sandra Brown
Director, Pepper Tree Wines, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
Dr Andrew Hedges
Medical Director, Hunter IVF
Professor Aaron Quigley
Professor of Computer Science in the Chair of Human Computer Interaction, School of Computer Science, St Andrews University, Scotland
Young Alumni Award – NEW in 2010
The Young Alumni Award recognises outstanding achievement and/or contribution made by a graduate aged 30 years or younger at time of nomination.
Finalists:
Ross Abbs (27 years old)
Currently studying Bachelor of Civil Law, Oxford University, United Kingdom
Stephen Priestley (27 years old)
Financial Planner, Godfrey Pembroke, Newcastle, NSW Australia
Holly McHattan (27 years old)
Corporate Communications Co-ordinator, Hunter Water Corporation
Sarah Kemp (30 years old)
Managing Director, Smart Future Consulting, Newcastle
Yasser Hamed (29 years old)
Senior Technical Director - Walt Disney Feature Animation
For more information on each finalist and their achievements visit:
www.newcastle.edu.au/alumni/alumni-awards/achievers
The Alumni Awards will be presented on Wednesday 13 October 2010 at 7pm in the Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall. To organise interviews with President of the Executive Committee of Alumni Brian Kennaugh or finalists, please contact Carmen Swadling on 02 4985 4276 or 0428 038 477.
