Six recipients celebrated at annual Learning & Teaching Awards alongside HEA Fellowship recognition

Tiếng Việt

Six recipients celebrated at annual Learning & Teaching Awards alongside HEA Fellowship recognition

RMIT Vietnam’s Excellence in Learning & Teaching Awards were held on 24 November 2021 in a live-streamed ceremony across RMIT global campuses. It was a special occasion to recognise members of the University’s teaching community who have demonstrated a commitment to student learning and achieved outstanding results.

These awards are based on a robust and rigorous application and review process. Professor Rick Bennett, Executive Dean (Academic & Students), said “it is interesting how in moments of great challenge and change - how much excellence in teaching stands out. This is perhaps because excellent teachers have always been flexible and resilient in the way they respond to the needs of their students and the challenges of their contexts.”

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2021 Learning & Teaching Award Winners: Dr Long Nguyen, Dr Jung Woo Han, Mr Bill Au, Dr Hellmut Monz and Dr Justin Battin.

Mr Bill Au from the School of Business & Management (SBM) and Dr Hellmut Monz from the School of Communication & Design (SCD) were recognised with Awards for Teaching Innovation. Reflecting on the award Dr Monz said “recognition for hard work feels good. However, the application process itself was of tremendous help for me. When jumping from one semester to the next, there is not much time for reflecting on the teaching; disseminating what is going on; questioning where everything is going. Applying for the teaching and learning award got me more in touch with what I do and why I do it.”

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School of Communication & Design Dr Hellmut Monz accepting his award

In the award category for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, Dr Jung Woo Han and Dr Justin Pang of the School of Business & Management along with Dr Justin Battin and Dr Long Nguyen of SCD were the 2021 awardees. Dr Pang’s work led to RMIT’s inaugural participation at the Global STR Competition with the student team impressively making the finals in their first year. His goal in undertaking the project was solely to ensure his students “were as prepared as possible for their careers upon graduation and to help them ignite the flame of passion for the hospitality industry.”

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School of Business & Management, Dr Justin Pang speaking about his award

Speaking of his award Dr Nguyen reflected on his own journey when “12 years ago I left a successful corporate career to pursue a PhD and become a full-time lecturer to fulfill my love of teaching. While my friends and family sometimes questioned my decision, I knew my true calling was in education and the power it has to transform lives and a create a better world.”

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School of Communication & Design, Dr Long Nguyen accepting his award

The event was also a chance to recognise both longer standing and newly awarded members to The Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellowship. The HEA Fellowship is a peer reviewed process that assesses teaching practice against an international standards framework and is also a commitment to the profession of teaching in higher education. Professor Bennett was delighted to formally recognise: Dr Jonathan Crellin, Dr Seng Kiong Kok, Professor Julia Gaimster, Professor Bob McClelland, Clara Nkhoma, Dr Greeni Maheshwari, Dr Justin Battin, Dr Nguyen Anh Thu, Dr Nick Cope, Dr Seng Kok, Dr Tuan Chu, Dr Reza Akbari, Dr Alrence Halibas and Glen O’Grady.

Story: Louisa Walsh

Campus and community

29 November 2021