Honorary Fellow Members

About the Fellowship

Honorary Fellow Membership is the highest distinction SIHSD can confer. It is reserved for a small number of individuals with outstanding achievements whose work has advanced science, health, technology, education, public policy, or innovation in lasting ways. The title is conferred sparingly so that it remains a true mark of distinction, not a routine membership grade.

Eligibility

This honour is given only to those with outstanding achievements. Length of career alone is not enough. Nominees should ordinarily demonstrate:

• Original, lasting contributions to health sciences, life sciences, medicine, engineering, technology, education, or a related field
• National or international leadership in research, clinical practice, policy, innovation, or institutional development
• Capacity building through mentorship, teaching, or the creation of programmes, laboratories, centres, or professional communities
• Evidenced impact through publications, patents, programmes, policy influence, or institutions strengthened
• Ethical integrity and professional standing consistent with the values of SIHSD

Nomination only

Membership of this cadre is based on nomination. Direct applications are not accepted. Self-nomination is not accepted. Incomplete nominations will not proceed to review.

Nominations may come from:

• A current SIHSD Professional Member, Dignitary Fellow, or Honorary Fellow in good standing
• A recognised university, research institute, teaching hospital, professional academy, or government scientific agency
• The SIHSD Executive Council, where the Society itself identifies a candidate of exceptional merit

A complete nomination package should include:

• A formal nomination letter explaining why the honour is warranted
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• A citation of approximately 400–600 words summarising the nominee’s career-defining impact
• Evidence of outstanding work (publications, patents, programme outcomes, policy influence, or institutional reforms)
• Supporting letters from recognised experts who can independently attest to the nominee’s contributions

Review by an expert panel

Nominations are reviewed two times a year. For each review cycle, the President of SIHSD constitutes a panel of experts — senior scholars, practitioners, and Fellows with relevant domain knowledge — to examine every membership request in this cadre.

The panel reviews nominations confidentially and assesses whether the achievements are outstanding, sustained, and of clear significance to the field. It then submits recommendations to SIHSD leadership for final confirmation. The Society may request further documentation, seek additional references, or decline a nomination without public explanation.

Nominations received after a cycle’s deadline are held for the next scheduled review. Timelines may extend where clarification or specialist consultation is required.

Privileges

Honorary Fellowship is conferred for life and does not require renewal. It may be withdrawn only in exceptional cases of proven ethical misconduct. Privileges typically include:

• An official Honorary Fellowship Certificate and citation
• Permanent listing in the SIHSD Honor Roll of Fellows
• Invitations to keynote, chair sessions, or advise on Society programmes
• Eligibility to serve on advisory panels, judging boards, or working groups
• Opportunities to mentor emerging researchers and contribute expert commentaries to SIHSD platforms

After selection

Successful nominees are informed officially by SIHSD and may be invited to accept the Fellowship in writing, provide a short biographical note and photograph for the Society’s register, and take part in a virtual or in-person induction. Unsuccessful nominations do not carry forward automatically, but a strengthened nomination may be submitted in a later cycle if substantial new evidence becomes available.

How to nominate

Eligible nominators should email a complete dossier to contact@sihsd.org, clearly marked for Honorary Fellow Membership consideration. Questions about dossier requirements or the next review cycle may be sent to the same address.