Governor General’s Gold Medal

Deadline:

TBA, likely early April 2025.

Eligibility of Citizenship: Canadian, Permanent Residence, and International
Degree Level: Masters and PhD
Award Status: Closed
Applicant Status: Continuing Students

Description

QUICK FACTS

One gold medal is awarded to the student who has achieved the most outstanding academic record as a PhD or master’s student completing a dissertation or thesis. This is an opportunity to honour the best in the graduating class within the College of Graduate Studies. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General of Canada by participating educational institutions, along with a personalized certificate signed by the Governor General. There is no monetary award associated with the medals.

Eligibility

Students must have the final copy of their thesis or dissertation approved by the College of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

Evaluation Criteria

One gold medal is awarded to the student who has achieved the most outstanding academic record as a PhD or master’s student completing a dissertation or thesis.
Outstanding academic record is assessed through the submitted materials: transcripts (i.e. GPA), external examiner’s report on doctoral dissertation (PhD nominees only), letter of support from thesis supervisor.

Nomination Procedures

Faculties form an internal review and evaluate nominated students who have had their thesis or dissertation approved by the College of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
Each Faculty Dean’s office may provide up to one nomination to the College of Graduate Studies by the deadline.
Nominations must include:
- Student letter of consideration.
  - A one page letter composed by the student including: a sentence stating they would like to be considered for the Governor General’s Gold Medal, and an outline of the thesis/dissertation completed.
  - Document must be a PDF in 12-point Times New Roman font; single spaced; all margins set at a minimum of ¾“ or 1.87 cm.
- Student CV.
  - The student’s CV should include scholarships and awards, contributions to research and publications, work, etc.
- Letter of support from the student’s primary supervisor.
- Transcripts for their current degree.
  - Please export an academic history from the SISC for your applicable student(s), and attach them for your faculty review and for your final nomination.
  - Students do not need to request their transcripts, this is the responsibility of the faculty.
- Copy of External Examiner’s report on doctoral dissertation (for PhD applicants only – master’s applicants do not need to provide an equivalent document).
  - External Examiner’s reports will only be provided to faculties at their request, and will not be provided directly to students.
  - To request the External Examiner’s report from the College of Graduate Studies for the Faculty review please send the request to graduateawards.ok@ubc.ca.
- A maximum 200 word citation that outlines the merits of the student and their academic excellence, written by the supervisor, to be included in the graduation program should they receive the award.
Nominations are reviewed and one winner selected by the College of Graduate Studies Scholarship and Awards Committee.
The College of Graduate Studies submits a 150-word citation for the winner to Ceremonies and Events, which is read at Convocation in June 2024. The winner may have graduated at an earlier Convocation, but are invited to attend the June 2024 ceremony. Governor General Recommendation Forms for the winner are then submitted to the Student Financial Assistance and Awards office, which assigns the award on the Student Information System.
Only successful students are notified.

SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS TO COGS

Faculties are to submit all nomination materials as one PDF document to graduateawards.ok@ubc.ca.

Please follow our file naming conventions:

GGGM_FACULTY_Last-Name_First-Name.pdf

e.g., GGGM_FOS_Doe_Jane.pdf

Further Information

Further information about the Governor General’s Academic Medals can be found on the website for the Governor General of Canada.