The Alumni International Medal is awarded to a a former Lincoln student or a past or current Lincoln staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field of expertise, and has brought credit to Lincoln University due to their achievements in a country other than New Zealand.  

Nomination Form

Nominations for all the 2026 awards open on 12 May 2025 and close on 13 September 2025.

Please do not attach any other supporting materials, including Curriculum Vitae, as these will not be considered.

Award Nomination Criteria

Nominees are assessed on:

• Career achievements
• The economic, scientific, cultural or technological value of their work
  
• The connection between their work and Lincoln's interests
  
• The extent to which their achievements reflect on, or have the potential to reflect on, the University's reputation
  
• Whether the candidate's distinctions were the result of work in a country other than New Zealand.

2024 and 2023 Recipients

2024 - Dr Ghanashyam Gurung

Lincoln University is a Lincoln graduate who made things happen, and contributed outstandingly in his chosen field of work.  He has risen to the highest level of conservation activity with WF Nepal, in close association with the government of Nepal.

Reag Ghanashyam's full citation.

2024 - Robert McCallum

Lincoln University proudly acknowledges the outstanding scientific, technological and knowledge- advancing achievements of alumnus Robert ('Rob') Dougall McCallum. Rob is internationally acclaimed in deep ocean exploration, philanthropic science and conservation.

2023 - Soane Patolo

Soane Patolo of the Kingdom of Tonga is the 23rd recipient of the medal and the first from a Pacific nation. Soane graduated Bachelor of Resource Studies from Lincoln University in 2003 and in his career since then he has become a highly regarded international expert in Pacific Island community development.

Read Soane's full citation.

2022 Recipients

Catherine (Katie) Sadleir

Katie Sadleir's high-profile career has seen her hold several ground-breaking roles in New Zealand high performance sport, before becoming the world's first general manager of women's rugby and her recent appointment as the first female Chief Executive Officer of The Commonwealth Games Federation in the United Kingdom.

Read Katie's full citation.

Dr Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa

Dr Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa grew up in a yak farming family in Khumbu near Mt Everest, Nepal. He received the opportunity to have a modern education when Sir Edmund Hillary built a school in his village in 1963. He was then awarded a scholarship to study a Diploma in Parks and Recreation at Lincoln University. 
Photo credit: Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation  

Read Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa's full citation.

Helen Sherpa

Helen Sherpa has worked for the improvement of education, health and well-being of Nepalese communities disadvantaged by poverty, caste, age or access to services for more than 25 years.

Read Helen's full citation.