Indiana U. President Michael McRobbie was appointed as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia by the country’s government on June 14.

According to an IU press release, the national award signifies “distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large.”

McRobbie, a native of Australia, along with the 21 other Australian recipients of the award, was announced in the “honors list” published June 14. The date honors the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of England, who is also the Sovereign of Australia.

Each recipient of the honor was given a blue and gold medal that is worn around the neck for ceremonial occasions. The award is also signified in print by the initials “AO” after the recipient’s name.

Created by Queen Elizabeth in 1975, the Order of Australia is one of the highest honors an Australian can receive in recognition of the receiver’s service.

According to the release, the citation for McRobbie’s award reads: “For distinguished service to tertiary education, particularly through administrative roles and to contributions in the field of information technology and in developing international alliances between universities.”

McRobbie was a professor and executive director of the Centre for Information Science Research, Institute of Advanced Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra before coming to IU.