Emeritus Professor Prem Ramburuth has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to tertiary education, particularly through the building of international partnerships.
The honour, announced as part of the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, recognises Professor Ramburuth’s decades-long contribution to higher education leadership, governance and global engagement, spanning Australia, Africa, Asia and beyond.
Based in Lane Cove, New South Wales, Professor Ramburuth has held a wide range of senior academic and governance roles at The University of New South Wales, where she is currently Emeritus Professor of International Business. Her leadership positions have included President of the Academic Board, member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Team and Council, and chair or member of more than 30 university committees.
She has also been instrumental in strengthening UNSW’s global footprint, serving as Academic Lead for Africa through the Institute for Global Development and the PLuS Alliance, a partnership linking UNSW with King’s College London and Arizona State University.
Beyond UNSW, Professor Ramburuth has played a major role in advancing higher education across Africa. She has served since 2016 as Visiting Professor at Gulu University, where she has led capacity building, research and teacher training programs, and advised on academic governance and quality assurance. She is also an executive board member of the Australia Africa Universities Network.
Her national service includes membership of the expert panel of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and ongoing roles with the Sir John Monash Foundation selection and review panels.
From 2012 to 2019, Professor Ramburuth served as Director and Chair of the Academic Board at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, contributing to governance and academic standards at one of Australia’s leading arts institutions.
A prolific scholar, she has co-edited major academic texts published by Cambridge University Press and other international publishers, authored more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, and delivered more than 100 conference presentations worldwide. Her work has earned numerous awards, including national recognition for outstanding contribution to student learning and multiple teaching excellence honours at UNSW.
The Australia Day 2026 Honours List was announced by Governor-General Sam Mostyn and recognises 949 Australians, an increase of more than 200 awards compared with last year.
“On my second Australia Day as your Governor-General, I am delighted to announce the Australia Day 2026 Honours List,” Ms Mostyn said. “The qualities and accomplishments of this year’s honourees reflect Australia’s values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity and care.”
In total, the list includes 680 recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia, 22 awards in the Military Division, 187 meritorious awards and 60 distinguished and conspicuous awards. Recipients will attend investiture ceremonies at Government House in their respective states and territories in the coming months.
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