Teaching’s night of nights celebrates excellence

The University of Queensland’s annual Teaching and Learning Awards have tonight celebrated excellence, creativity and innovation.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright said the awards recognised the important work of teachers in shaping students and building their opportunities to make a positive difference across society.

“Teachers are key to students getting the most from their university experience, and it is an absolute joy to see the outcomes from UQ teachers and students working together,” Professor Wright said.

She said students across UQ were benefiting from UQ’s push to embed employability in every study program.

“All students can now engage with opportunities including work-integrated learning, short term global experiences, entrepreneurial activities, and volunteering that build their capabilities and develop the mindsets required for an evolving future world of work,” Professor Wright said.

“This has translated into UQ having the most employable graduates in the State, according to QS data.

“Thanks to this kind of important work from our inspirational teachers, employers have confidence that UQ graduates are globally relevant, innovative and creative future leaders.”

Professor Wright noted that the digital revolution had transformed the teaching profession “in a few short years”.

“Teachers are doing a magnificent job in adapting to that and in thinking in new ways about their students’ education,” she said. “We see many examples of this among our award winners tonight.”

UQ Teaching and Learning Week 2019 (Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November), provides opportunities for the UQ community to learn from one another and to celebrate creative and innovative teaching practices designed to enhance student learning.

This year’s workshops, panels, and other interactive sessions are highlighting UQ’s excellent teachers and tutors, initiatives, and teaching and learning leaders around the theme of “Creativity”.

The program of events is designed to give staff opportunities to network and discuss contemporary teaching and learning.

The awards presented last night were:

Awards for Teaching Excellence

Associate Professor Rowland Cobbold, School of Veterinary Science

Associate Professor Jodie Copley, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Dr Allyson Mutch, School of Public Health

Dr Lynda Shevellar, School of Social Science

Dr Jack Wang, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences

Commendations for Teaching Excellence

Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Associate Professor Jane Johnston, School of Communication and Arts

Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning

EAIT Student Employability Team, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Mrs Laura Jeffress, Ms Tara Cronin, Mrs Lynda Murphy, Ms Kathryn Reid,  Ms Abbey Davidson, Ms Lauren Barker, Mrs Jo Macdonald, Mrs Carrie Beddis, Ms Marlin Othman.

UQ ePortfolio Project, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences and Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation

Professor Sarah Roberts-Thomson, Mr Sam Harris, Ms Jessica Tsai, Ms Elizabeth Wardrop, Ms Ailsa Dickie, Mr Nathan La Burniy, Mr Victor Ho, Dr Sam McKenzie.

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

CHEE2001 Teaching Team, Mrs Beverly Coulter (lead), Associate Professor Steven Pratt, Professor Paul Lant, Dr Paul Jensen, School of Chemical Engineering

MECH2305 Teaching Team, Dr Michael Bermingham (lead) and Professor Matthew Dargusch, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Associate Professor Marco Faravelli, School of Economics

Dr Sarel Gronum, UQ Business School

Dr Anna Hatton, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Associate Professor Lisa Ruhanen, UQ Business School

Commendations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Tim Barlott, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Dr Ian MacKenzie, School of Economics

Dr Rebecca Olson, School of Social Science

Dr Jie Wang, UQ Business School                                                                                                                   

Contact: Jessica Cruff, UQ Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation, j.cruff@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 6211.