The Engaged University of the Year Award celebrates a higher education institution that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering partnerships, driving positive societal change, and advancing the public good. This award recognizes universities that have embraced community engagement as a core value, integrating it into their teaching, research, and operations. By addressing societal challenges through collaborative efforts, these institutions have made meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond, showcasing the transformative power of higher education as a catalyst for engagement, inclusivity, and impact.

The Green University of the Year Award recognizes a higher education institution that exemplifies outstanding commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. This includes integrating sustainable practices into resource planning, operations, research, and teaching, while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among staff, students, and the broader community. Honoring institutions where environmental stewardship is a core value, this award celebrates leadership in climate action and the promotion of green initiatives that inspire meaningful change within and beyond the campus.

This award celebrates a leadership team in higher education that has excelled in applying entrepreneurial thinking to seize opportunities and deliver impactful outcomes. By embracing creativity, adaptability, and strategic foresight, the team has effectively transformed vision into action, benefiting their institution and society at large. The leadership team may consist of members from various levels and units, encompassing but not limited to university-wide roles, faculty or school administration, departmental leadership, research unit directors, support unit management, or student leaders.

The Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award honors an individual educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and success in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and skills. This award celebrates innovative teaching methods, impactful mentorship, and a commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and tools to thrive in entrepreneurial environments. The award is open to faculty members across all academic ranks, including professors and lecturers, who have made significant contributions to cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset and skills among their students.

The Engaged Academic of the Year Award honors an individual from the academic realm who has shown exceptional dedication and effectiveness in engaging with outside stakeholders. This award is designed to recognize a faculty member, researcher, or academic professional who has gone beyond the traditional scope of academic duties to actively and meaningfully connect with external entities such as industry partners, community organizations, governmental bodies, or non-profits. The ideal candidate for this award is someone who demonstrates a strong commitment to applying academic expertise in a way that directly benefits society. This includes translating research into practical solutions, participating in collaborative projects with external partners, contributing to policy development, or actively working on community-based initiatives. Their engagement should exemplify how academic knowledge and research can be effectively integrated with external needs and challenges, leading to impactful outcomes. The award highlights the importance of bridging the gap between academia and the wider world, acknowledging the vital role that academics play in driving societal progress through active engagement with stakeholders outside the university.

The University Alliance of the Year Award recognizes an alliance of higher education institutions that exemplifies exceptional collaboration in addressing shared challenges and advancing collective goals. This award honors alliances that successfully leverage their combined expertise, resources, and networks to enhance education, research, and service, while fostering innovation and resilience. By working together, these alliances create meaningful and measurable outcomes that benefit students, faculty, and communities, and contribute to tackling pressing global and societal issues. The award celebrates partnerships that demonstrate a commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and long-term impact through effective collaboration.

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem of the Year Award is designed to recognize an ecosystem that is affiliated with a university or has a university as a core stakeholder. This award celebrates an ecosystem that exemplifies a thriving hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering a dynamic environment where ideas, resources, and talent converge to create significant impact. The ideal ecosystem demonstrates a strong integration of academic research and entrepreneurial spirit, encouraging the development of startups, innovative projects, and collaborations between academia, industry, and other community stakeholders. The award acknowledges these ecosystems for their role in nurturing entrepreneurial talent, facilitating the transfer of knowledge from academia to the marketplace, and contributing to the economic and social development of their communities. Such ecosystems not only support the growth of new ventures but also play a pivotal role in shaping a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within and around the university, setting an example for future initiatives in the realm of (academic) entrepreneurship.

The Entrepreneurship Course of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary higher education course that excels in developing students' entrepreneurial mindsets and skills, fostering innovation, and encouraging practical, real-world application. This award celebrates courses that effectively combine theoretical rigor with experiential learning. Recognized courses go beyond traditional classroom instruction, innovative elements such as incorporating collaborative projects, industry partnerships, and mentorship to prepare students for the complexities of entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The award honors courses that inspire creativity, adaptability, and a proactive approach, equipping students to identify and seize opportunities while making meaningful contributions to their fields and communities. The term "course" encompasses a wide range of educational offerings, including short-term programs such as summer schools, semester-long lectures, and comprehensive degree programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD level.

The Campus of Tomorrow Award honors a university that demonstrates outstanding vision and leadership in shaping the future of campus development. This award recognizes institutions that integrate sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity into their campus planning and operations, creating spaces that are not only functional but also inspiring and forward-thinking. It celebrates universities that excel in reimagining both physical and digital environments to foster collaboration, advance research, and enhance learning experiences. These campuses exemplify a commitment to environmental stewardship, cutting-edge design, and accessibility, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of diverse students, faculty, and communities while preparing for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The EdTech Innovation of the Year Award recognizes a groundbreaking advancement in educational technology that has significantly enhanced learning, teaching, or accessibility in higher education. This award celebrates transformative digital tools, platforms, and/or approaches that address diverse learning needs, improve teaching effectiveness, or promote inclusivity. It honors innovations offering scalable solutions to the challenges of an evolving educational landscape. By setting a new standard for excellence in EdTech, these innovations inspire the academic community to embrace digital transformation and reimagine the future of education.

The University Venture of the Year Award honors an entrepreneurial venture that originates from a higher education institution and exemplifies exceptional innovation, growth, and societal impact. This award celebrates a wide range of ventures, including student-led start-ups, university spin-offs, and science-based or university-owned enterprises that leverage academic expertise to address significant global or local challenges. Recognized ventures demonstrate a strong commitment to creating value for the economy and/or society through groundbreaking ideas, cutting-edge technology, or transformative solutions. The award highlights ventures that successfully translate academic research and entrepreneurial ambition into real-world impact, setting an inspiring example of how higher education fuels innovation and economic growth.

The SDG Impact Award recognizes an initiative within higher education that has made a significant and measurable contribution to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This award celebrates exemplary efforts that align with global sustainability priorities, addressing pressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and quality education. It highlights initiatives that drive meaningful change, foster innovative solutions, and inspire others to take action in creating a more sustainable and equitable future. By showcasing leadership and impact, this award underscores the transformative potential of higher education initiatives in advancing the global sustainability agenda.

The Science Communication Award celebrates a higher education institution or individual that demonstrates exceptional skill and dedication in translating complex scientific concepts into accessible, engaging, and meaningful narratives for diverse audiences. This award recognizes innovative approaches to promoting science literacy, inspiring curiosity, and fostering a deeper public appreciation for science and its role in society. Honorees excel in breaking down barriers between academia and the public, using creative methods such as multimedia storytelling, public lectures, community engagement, or digital platforms to connect with people from all walks of life. The award emphasizes the importance of clear, impactful communication in enhancing trust in science, addressing misinformation, and encouraging informed decision-making. By showcasing outstanding achievements in science communication, this award highlights the transformative power of education and outreach in shaping a more scientifically literate and engaged society.

The Student-led Impact Initiative of the Year Award is a prestigious recognition for a student-driven project or initiative that has demonstrated significant, positive impact within the academic community or beyond. This award celebrates initiatives that exemplify innovation, commitment, and effectiveness in addressing key challenges or opportunities. Whether it's through social entrepreneurship, community service, sustainability efforts, or other impactful endeavours, the awarded initiative stands as a testament to the power of student leadership and collaboration. Ideal candidates for this award are initiatives that not only show exceptional results but also embody the spirit of student engagement, creativity, and dedication to making a tangible difference in their community or field. This award honours the initiative's contribution to fostering a culture of proactive, positive change led by the student body. We encourage applications from groups of varying structure and formality, from informal collectives to formally established units like student clubs and associations.

The Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Award recognizes a higher education institution or initiative that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to empowering (future) female entrepreneurs and advancing gender equity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This award celebrates programs, networks, or initiatives that effectively address the unique challenges and barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship, such as access to funding, mentorship, and resources. Honorees exhibit innovative approaches to fostering inclusivity, building supportive communities, and creating opportunities for women to thrive as entrepreneurs.

The Engaged Research of the Year Award honors a research project or initiative that exemplifies outstanding societal impact through meaningful collaboration with communities, organizations, or stakeholders. This award recognizes research efforts that address pressing real-world challenges and make significant contributions to the public good, advancing knowledge in ways that directly benefit society. Honorees demonstrate a commitment to co-creation, inclusivity, and the practical application of research findings to solve complex societal problems. The award is open to projects that are either completed or currently ongoing.