Inspiring university teachers awarded

Australia’s best university teachers have been recognised at the 2013 Australian Awards for University Teaching at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra today.

Senator Scott Ryan, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, congratulated the 13 teachers for their outstanding work, along with recognising the 9 individual programs and 148 entrants that received citations.

“The Australian Awards for University Teaching are a nationally recognised marker of esteem,” Senator Ryan said.

“The outstanding university teachers and programs deserved to be recognised and celebrated for their exceptional work.

“This year’s recipients have strived to engage students in their own learning and relate their curriculum to the world in which we live.  ”

The teachers honoured at the awards come from Universities all around Australia and from disciplines as diverse as dental studies, business, construction, languages, medical science and architecture.

The programs range from specialised medical treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to enhancing students’ learning in laboratories.

“ I would particularly like to congratulate Professor John Croucher, from Macquarie University, who was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Australian University Teacher of the Year.

Professor Croucher has an international reputation for his innovations in teaching and has inspired students from all walks of life to understand the importance of numeracy skills to their future professions and everyday lives.

“Australian Universities are internationally renowned and the Government is committed to implementing policies that ensure we continue to have a truly world class higher education system,” Senator Ryan said.

“Maintaining quality in tertiary education is our number one priority and with these exceptional teachers and programs we will continue to expand our international education reputation.”

A list of award winners are attached. Further details are available at: www.olt.gov.au