Professor Hay received the top award in today's Order of Australia appointments, becoming a Companion (AC) in the general division. His award was for "service to advancing higher education in Australia, including contributions to research and innovation policies and funding, and at the University of Queensland through significant development of academic and administrative structures". Or, in simple terms, in his eight years at the helm, Professor Hay, 61, has put UQ on the world map – in a number of diverse fields. Globally significant research centres are up and running or being established in brain research, molecular bioscience, bio-engineering and nanotechnology, supercomputing and sustainable mining. While it is the scientists whose brilliance powers the work of these centres, it is Professor Hay whose articulate vision of the heights Australian researchers can scale that has sold the message to government and business. More than $350 million from new external sources has been attracted to major projects. Delighted by his award, Professor Hay regards it as a win for UQ, academic quality and innovation and intellectual rigour in a culture where scholarship has rarely matched sporting prowess in popularity. Professor Hay is the only Australian vice-chancellor to head two universities named as Australia's University of the Year. UQ won the title in 1998 as did Deakin University in Victoria in 1995. Professor Hay was Deakin vice-chancellor for four years.