Convocation
Convocation makes UWA special and unique. Because Convocation is an integral part of the University, it means that all graduates are regarded as equally important a part of the University, as the staff and students.
The term Convocation in the context of a university, it refers to those members of the university community who 'when gathered together in a formal meeting' are entitled to have input into aspects of the governance of the university such as voting for members of the governing body or reviewing major decisions, such as changes to statutes.
All graduates of The University of Western Australia are permanent members of the Convocation of UWA Graduates.
Through Convocation, graduates have a life-long relationship with the University of Western Australia. Convocation is one the four constituent bodies of the University (along with staff, the students and the Senate), as defined in the University of Western Australia Act of 1911.
UWA Statute Changes
At its meeting on 28 October 2024, the Senate accepted Council’s recommendations approved at the Spring General Meeting. We await the final government approval of the amended UWA Statute.
Convocation remains enshrined in the UWA Act as one of the four pillars of the University, together with the Senate, Guild of Undergraduates and Staff. Key changes to the UWA Statute, which are not expected to come into effect until mid 2025, include:
- changing the name of Convocation Council to Alumni Council
- setting the number of Councillors at 14
- encouraging generational diversity on the Alumni Council.
2025 Convocation Council Elections
Nominations for 2025 Convocation Council Elections open on 1 November 2024. For more details and application forms, please see the Convocation Elections.
What is convocation?
The general definition of the term 'Convocation' is a "gathering together for a large formal assembly". When applied in the context of a university, it refers to those members of the university community who 'when gathered together in a formal meeting' are entitled to have input into aspects of the governance of the university such as voting for members of the governing body or reviewing major decisions, such as changes to statutes.
Why does Convocation make UWA different? Because Convocation is an integral part of the University, it means that all graduates are regarded as equally important a part of the University, as the staff and students. This means that UWA considers the support we supply to graduates are as important as the services we supply to students.
The University of Western Australia needs a strong and vibrant graduate community. Convocation works to:
- Enhance the reputation of the University
- Maintain a long-standing commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, bursaries, and awards
- Encourage good governance of the University through the election of members of Convocation to the University Senate and the Council of Convocation
- Bring graduates together in a range of activities, including reunions
- Invite influential speakers to address Ordinary Meetings of Convocation in March and September annually
When the UWA Act was drafted in 1911, it created the Guild to represent the interests of students, and created Convocation to represent the interests of graduates. However, while members of the Guild are only students, membership of Convocation (in accordance with its historical precedents) encompasses all the senior members of the University community who are entitled to form the electorate for the university. Today membership of Convocation comprises:
- All graduates of the University
- All recipients of Honorary Doctorates
- All senior academic staff of the University
- All members and past members of the UWA Senate
- Nominated representatives of commercial, industrial, scientific, professional or educational associations
- Graduates of other universities admitted to be members by Convocation
- Persons who have rendered services or made gifts to the University
Events and meetings
Our ordinary meetings are a chance for your voice to be heard, and for us to answer any questions you might have.
Learn more about our 50th reunions and Convocation Day celebrations.
Members
Latest Convocation news
Address: 35 Stirling Highway, CRAWLEY WA 6009
Phone: (+61 8) 6488 3006
Email: [email protected]
Office open Mon-Fri from 8:30am to 4:30pm
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