Governor General's Gold Medal

The Governor General's Academic Gold Medals for graduate studies are prestigious awards presented on behalf of the Governor General to recognize outstanding scholastic achievements at the graduate level. At the University of Waterloo, these medals are awarded at Spring Convocation to students who graduate in spring or in the fall of the previous calendar year. Each Faculty may nominate one student at the master's level and one at the doctoral level. The selection process assesses the highest academic standing through examination of scholarship/research (publications, major research papers, presentations with evidence of creativity/originality), letters of support from faculty advisors, thesis committees, external examiners, and other relevant parties, and grades (minimum first class standing of 80%). The award consists of a gold medal and a personalized certificate signed by the Governor General of Canada.