Otago Polytechnic teachers win three Tertiary Teaching Award

Otago Polytechnic teachers win three Tertiary Teaching Awards

Three Otago Polytechnic teachers have been awarded prestigious national Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards for “absolutely world-class” teaching – representing a quarter of the field of 12 educators honoured this year.

The annual Awards, administered by Ako Aotearoa, celebrate New Zealand’s finest tertiary teachers. They were announced tonight at a parliamentary dinner jointly hosted by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce, and the Chair of the Education and Science Committee, Dr Jian Yang.

Among those honoured were Otago Polytechnic’s Institute of Sport and Adventure Head, Dr Megan Gibbons; Principal Engineering Lecturer, Richard Nyhof; and Senior Carpentry Lecturer, Matthew Thompson, who each take home $20,000 in recognition of their achievements.

“Megan, Richard and Matthew are brilliant at what they do, motivating and inspiring their students with the expertise and passion they demonstrate,” says Chief Executive, Phil Ker. “I’m delighted that their dedication and excellence have been acknowledged by the Awards Committee.”

A total of 18 Otago Polytechnic educators have been recognised with these Awards over the past decade, highlighting the exceptional quality education on offer at the institute.

Ako Aotearoa’s Director, Peter Coolbear, says it’s a great privilege and pleasure to host the Awards. “Each year, this gives us an opportunity to celebrate tertiary teachers and teaching that is truly student-focused and absolutely world-class.”

Otago Polytechnic’s Ako Aotearoa Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards

2016: Dr Megan Gibbons – Head of School, Otago Institute of Sport and Adventure
Richard Nyhof – Principal Engineering Lecturer, School of Architecture, Building and Engineering
Matthew Thompson – Senior Carpentry Lecturer, School of Architecture, Building and Engineering
2015: Clive Humphries – Principal Lecturer, Dunedin School of Art
2014: Adrian Woodhouse – Senior Lecturer, Food Design Institute
Daniel Pfyl – Senior Lecturer, Food Design Institute
David Gillespie – Lecturer, Food Design Institute
Stephen Ellwood – Lecturer, Food Design Institute
Tony Heptinstall – Senior Lecturer, Food Design Institute
Judith Roddick – Principal Lecturer, School of Nursing
Caroline McCaw – Communication Design Academic Leader, School of Design
2012: Jane Venis Creative Studies Academic Leader, School of Design
2011: Professor Leoni Schmidt – Head of School of Art
Peter Bilous – Snowsport/Avalanche Studies Programme Manager, Central Otago campus
2010: Maxine Alterio – Principal Lecturer, Educational Development Centre
2009: Judy Magee – Senior Lecturer, School of Foundation Learning
2008: Adrian Woodhouse – Senior Lecturer, School of Hospitality
2007: Margo Barton – Fashion Academic Leader, School of Design.

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