ACU’s Graduation and Protocol team has been recognized at the 2024 Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM) Awards for Excellence, winning in the Digital Enablement category for their innovative Reader Module project.
The annual ATEM Awards for Excellence recognise outstanding performance in practice and disciplines essential to the professional management of tertiary education in Australasia. Award winners exemplify the best professional practice and demonstrate the breadth of capability across the sector.
The award was presented by ATEM president Kathryn Blyth at an online ceremony on Monday 18 November.
The Reader Module is a cutting-edge tool designed to streamline and enhance the management of graduation ceremonies. By integrating voice-recorded name pronunciations, seat numbers, and editable presenter notes into a single, digital Presentation List, the module addresses key challenges in ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
Presenters are now equipped with pronunciation guides and the ability to make personalized notes directly in the system, significantly reducing on-stage errors and last-minute logistical pressures. For graduates, this means their names are pronounced correctly and with confidence, maintaining the dignity and recognition they deserve.
Administratively, the module has transformed the preparation of presentation lists, automating tasks that previously required extensive manual effort. This innovation has saved significant time, allowed for real-time updates, and ensured smoother ceremony flows, creating a better experience for graduates, staff, and audiences alike.
The ACU Graduation and Protocol team is: Katrina Wood, Louise Ciano, Monique Healy, Bree Stafford and Lisa Be.
The Graduations and Protocol team with the Academic Registrar, Cheryl Fullwood.