It’s official: our teachers are tops

Two University of Queensland lecturers have won national teaching excellence awards at the 2015 Australian Awards for University Teaching presentation at Parliament House in Canberra last night.

Sports medicine specialist Dr Craig Engstrom and mathematics teacher Mr Michael Jennings are among a group of university teachers from around the nation honoured at a reception hosted by the Office for Learning and Teaching.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright said Dr Engstrom and Mr Jennings personified UQ’s focus on supporting student success.

“Foremost among UQ’s core strategic goals is for employers worldwide to recognise UQ graduates as ‘must-have’ employees,” Professor Wright said.

“The way our teachers inspire our students to learn and see the world differently is critical to this endeavour.

“The most dedicated and passionate teachers are always the ones who will make the biggest difference to students, and as we see it, they are the ones who will help students create change in themselves and in the world.

“On behalf of the University’s senior executive group, I warmly congratulate Dr Engstrom and Mr Jennings for their commitment to teaching, for contributing so much to UQ and for their great work with their students.”

Dr Engstrom, (left), from the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, received a 2013 UQ Teaching and Learning Award. Watch a video on his work here.

Mr Jennings, from the School of Mathematics and Physics, received a 2012 UQ Teaching and Learning Award. Watch a video on his work here.

Their awards highlight the breadth and longevity of teaching excellence at UQ that has dominated Australian teaching awards since their inception.

Media: Fiona Cameron, UQ Communications, +61 7 3346 7086, f.cameron2@uq.edu.au.