University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj has been named a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to higher education and research.

His award is one of several conferred on UQ academics and alumni in today’s Australia Day honours.

Born and raised in Denmark, Professor Høj has tirelessly promoted closer research ties between academics, government and industry since settling in Australia more than 30 years ago.

“I am incredibly thankful for this honour, and humbled to be joining such illustrious company who have made a tremendous contribution to lives in Australia and overseas,” Professor Høj said.

“I’m passionate about education, the commercialisation of research and the development of policies that will make a positive difference, but of course this can’t be achieved by an individual working in isolation.

“There are outstanding teams throughout the UQ community working to produce evidence-based research to respond to the many challenges facing our world today.

“I am also incredibly proud to have seen 100,000 students graduate from UQ and previously from the University of South Australia under my tenure as Vice-Chancellor.”

UQ Chancellor Mr Peter Varghese AO congratulated Professor Høj on the award.

“Through his pursuit of excellence, Peter has been an outstanding leader for industry, for government and for the higher education sector,” Mr Varghese said.

“He has consistently led by example and modelled determination, integrity, philanthropy and the value of collaboration.”

Industry funding for research has grown by an estimated 45 per cent since Professor Høj joined UQ in 2012, and the University’s standing in key global rankings has improved significantly in that time.

Professor Høj has a Master of Science in biochemistry and genetics and a PhD in photosynthesis from the University of Copenhagen, and has served in roles including CEO of the Australian Research Council and the Australian Wine Research Institute, and as a member of the CSIRO board and the Prime Minister's Science Engineering and lnnovation Council.

In 2018, he earned a prestigious fellowship of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in the United States.

Other UQ recipients in today’s Honours list include Chemistry professor and advocate for women in science Professor Mary Garson, made a Member of the Order of Australia, and Professor Zhiguo Yuan, Director of the Advanced Water Management Centre, also made a Member of the Order of Australia. Professor Sarah Strasser is the Head of the Rural Clinical School, and was also awarded AM. 

Professor Mark Dodgson has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to education in the field of business innovation strategy, as a researcher, advisor and author.

Images: from top - UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj AC,  Professor Mary Garson AM,  Professor Zhiguo Yuan AM, Professor Mark Dodgson AO. 

Media:  Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 1120, +61 413 601 248.