CASE Announces the 2021 Asia-Pacific Leadership Award and Distinguished Service Award Recipients
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education has conferred awards to two eminent individuals at an awards presentation ceremony in Melbourne on 21 April 2022.
Receiving the 2021 CASE Asia-Pacific Leadership Award is Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS, Vice-Chancellor & President of The Australian National University. This award recognises institutional leaders for their outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting education and advancement.
Schmidt is recognised globally as an accomplished vice-chancellor, a Nobel Prize laureate, and a leading astrophysicist. A natural leader through example, Schmidt has a clear vision for ANU and the higher education sector, and he has advocated for it. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he demonstrated outstanding leadership and used his public profile as both a Nobel laureate and vice-chancellor to bring attention to the pivotal role universities are playing in the nation’s recovery, making a strong case for strategic and sustainable funding.
“Brian is unequivocal in his commitment to the pursuit of excellence in research and the student experience, and cares deeply about the success and wellbeing of our staff and students,” said The Hon Julie Bishop, ANU Chancellor.
“Having a vice-chancellor at the helm of the university leading by example is the key to success in laying the foundation for a strong culture of institutional advancement at The Australian National University. Professor Schmidt is an inspirational leader who is deserving of the award,” said Heather Hamilton, Executive Director at CASE Asia-Pacific.
Receiving the 2021 CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award is Nick Blinco, Vice-President (Advancement) at The University of Melbourne. This award recognises inspirational advancement professionals whose accomplishments have made a lasting impact on institutional advancement and whose life and character have earned the respect and admiration of fellow colleagues.
Blinco played a crucial role in the second phase of The University of Melbourne’s Believe Campaign, which set an ambitious goal for the institution to raise AUD1 billion in philanthropic income and engage 100,000 alumni for the first time in the university’s history. He led the advancement team through two significant restructures in 2016 and 2021. The outcomes were the development of a professional practice for fundraising and alumni engagement across the university and setting the team up to support the university to rebound post-pandemic, as well as prepare a new campaign after Believe.
“Nick is an exemplary leader who has built strong and supportive relationships within The University of Melbourne community and stakeholders. He is also an inspiration in the sector as chair of the Group of Eight Advancement Leaders Group. As a valued volunteer for CASE Europe and Asia-Pacific, Nick was invited to join the CASE Laureates, the highest accolade recognising CASE’s community of senior volunteers. He was also awarded a CASE Crystal Apple for Teaching Excellence,” said Hamilton.
About CASE Asia-Pacific Leadership Award
The CASE Asia-Pacific Leadership Award recognises CASE member institutional heads, presidents, vice-chancellors, chancellors, system heads, or other campus chief executive officers for outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting education and institutional advancement.
This award recognises the following contributions from individuals who:
- Actively support advancement
- Create a vision and inspire others
- Establish a positive image for their institution while leading it to higher levels of success
- Increase their institution's stature in the community
- Encourage innovation among employees
CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award
The CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award recognises inspirational advancement professionals whose accomplishments have made a significant and lasting impact on institutional advancement, and whose life and character have earned the respect and admiration of fellow colleagues.
This award recognises the following contributions from individuals:
- Leadership in their profession
- Demonstration of best practice and innovation in their profession
- Service to the CASE Asia-Pacific community of practice
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.
Media Contact:
Heather Hamilton
Executive Director, CASE Asia-Pacific
+61 8 6186 1077 / +61 419 950 027 / hhamilton@case.org