UQ honours
remarkable individuals
The University of Queensland has recognised renowned ballet dancer and author, Li Cunxin AO, and pioneering chemical engineer, Katherine Hirschfeld AM, with Honorary Doctorates during UQ’s 2023 end-of-year graduations.
Highly respected academic, Professor Julie Duck, was also recognised with the R.H. Roe Award, one of the University’s highest staff honours, for her outstanding contributions to the University over 20 years.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry praised the recipients as deserving of the University’s highest accolades.
“Honorary Doctorates are reserved for individuals whose extraordinary accomplishments have significantly benefited the community,” Professor Terry said.
“This cohort of talented leaders embody UQ’s values of creativity, truth and academic excellence.
“I am delighted their exceptional dedication and contributions have been recognised in this way.”
Li Cunxin AO - Honorary Doctor of Letters
Li Cunxin AO is a distinguished ballet dancer, bestselling author, business person and Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet. He is recognised globally.
Mr Li’s journey from a rural village in China to the global stage is a story of resilience, passion and triumph over adversity. His autobiography, Mao’s Last Dancer was published in 2003 and adapted to film in 2009.
As a dancer, Mr Li displayed an exceptional combination of technical mastery and emotive interpretation, earning him international acclaim. His contribution to the arts included the role of Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet from 2012 to 2023.
Mr Li is an inspiration for aspiring artists and his journey underscores the transformative power of the arts and the possibilities they hold for individuals from all walks of life.
In 2019, Mr Li was appointed officer (AO) of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the performing arts, particularly to ballet.
Katherine Hirschfeld AM - Honorary Doctor of Engineering
Katherine Hirschfeld AM is a chemical engineer, philanthropist, experienced chair and non-executive director and an advocate for greater female participation in male-dominated industries.
She has 20 years’ international leadership experience with energy company BP in oil refining, logistics and exploration, successfully transforming large organisations in a highly regulated industry to deliver outstanding performance.
Ms Hirschfeld was made an Honorary Fellow by Engineers Australia in 2014 and recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Engineers in 2015, the same year she was named in the AFR/Westpac 100 Women of Influence list.
She is a member of Chief Executive Women and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Academy of Engineering and Technology.
In 2019, Ms Hirschfeld was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant contributions to engineering, gender equality and business, the same year she established a scholarship at UQ for women in engineering, to encourage and empower female students to undertake study in the field.
Professor Julie Duck
Professor Julie Duck is a distinguished and respected leader who has made an immense contribution to university academic governance, policy development and the enhancement of student experiences at UQ. Her unwavering dedication to UQ over the past 2 decades, alongside her roles as a leader, teacher and researcher, have established her as an exemplary figure in higher education.
Professor Duck’s involvement in teaching and learning projects has strengthened professional development for new tutors and teachers, improving student retention and enhancing the quality of learning.
Beyond her formal role as Associate Dean (Academic), Professor Duck is a remarkable mentor and her selfless support of her colleagues was acknowledged with a Commendation for Leadership in the UQ Awards for Excellence in 2019, and the Service Award in the UQ Awards for Excellence in 2021.
As a further acknowledgement of her leadership and dedication to achieving excellence in her work, Professor Duck became a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in 2017.
The UQ awards will be conferred during graduation ceremonies at the St Lucia campus in December.
Video and images available via Dropbox.
Media: communications@uq.edu.au, +61 429 056 139.
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