Teaching excellence recognised

16 September 2009

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne with Dr Mike Grace, joint winner of this year's Teaching Excellence Award (absent Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie).

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne with Dr Maria Athanassenas, who shared the Excellence in Honours Supervision Award with Dr Richard Reina and Associate Professor David Paganin.

The Vice-Chancellors of Monash and Warwick universities sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

Monash has recognised the exemplary teaching of its staff with the presentation of the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Honours Supervision.

The awards were presented on Monday 14 September as part of the Vice-Chancellor's Showcase of Teaching Excellence, an annual event to share innovative teaching strategies and approaches.

Dr Mike Grace from the Faculty of Science and Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie from the Faculty of Education were joint winners of this year's Teaching Excellence Award, with special commendations awarded to Dr Gerry Rayner and Dr Murray Logan from the Faculty of Science and Dr Michael Henderson from the Faculty of Education.

The award for Excellence in Honours Supervision was shared among three teachers from the Faculty of Science – Dr Richard Reina, Associate Professor David Paganin and Dr Maria Athanassenas, with special commendations going to Jennifer Mosse from the Faculty of Science and Associate Professor Roger Evans and Lesley Hewitt from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

The Showcase of Teaching Excellence, which formed part of Educate 09, included a keynote address on excellence in the next generation by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, UK, Professor Nigel Thrift.

The address culminated in the signing of a new agreement between Monash and Warwick.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Stephanie Fahey said the University of Warwick was well-known for its innovative approaches to teaching, its excellent links with industry, and the quality of its research.

She said the two universities had recently launched a joint fund to support complementary novel research and educational initiatives.

"Like Monash in Australia, Warwick has had an impact in UK higher education that belies its age," Professor Fahey said.

"This new strategic alliance will build on a range of already-established links that include collaborations in medical research, advanced materials, fluid dynamics, IT and e-marketplaces."

The day also included faculty presentations on learning and teaching excellence, and a senior leadership forum on the challenges of intergenerational leadership.