May 13, 2018

UOW finalist for global teaching award

Only Australian university shortlisted two years running

The University of Wollongong (UOW) became the only Australian university to be listed as a finalist for the prestigious Global Teaching Excellence Award (GTEA) for two consecutive years when the award’s 2018 finalists were announced on Friday 11 May. 

UOW was identified among 17 leading universities from Asia, Europe, North America, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia.

The award recognises and celebrates institution-wide commitment to the pursuit of teaching excellence.

Finalists are independently assessed by a distinguished panel of international judges as part of a rigorous review process and measured against three ‘domains of excellence’: excellence in the leadership of teaching and learning; excellence in teaching; and excellence in student support.

“Worldwide there is a growing expectation that universities should demonstrate excellence in their teaching environments and engagement with students; alongside the many measures of research and impact. The GTEA process is a mark of excellence and highlights the outstanding work of the staff at UOW” Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings CBE said.

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Joe Chicharo, agreed the University’s global recognition as a leader in teaching excellence by the selection panel was a testament to the commitment of both academic and professional staff at UOW to a positive student experience.

“UOW is renowned for producing graduates who are well-equipped and prepared for the jobs of the future.

“The student experience we offer at UOW is second to none because we are constantly reviewing and improving our methods to ensure we deliver our students the very best in teaching and learning practice,” Professor Chicharo said.

“Our nomination for the second year in a row is testament to our staff’s deep commitment to providing students with outstanding support, access to diverse extra-curricular activities, and contemporary teaching that stimulates and challenges them to become independent thinkers,” Professor Chicharo said.

The national Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) has consistently placed UOW among the top three Australian universities for overall performance, and its annual Employer Satisfaction Survey recently found employers are more satisfied with UOW graduates than with graduates from all other NSW universities.

UOW was also rated Australia’s leading public university for undergraduate student experience in the 2018 Good Universities Guide.

The GTEA overall winner will be revealed in the United Kingdom on July 18 at The Hub on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The achievements of all finalists will be celebrated at the ceremony, with five finalists to receive a GTEA Spotlight Award.

The GTEA is offered by the independent UK organisation, Advance HE, which champions teaching excellence in partnership with Times Higher Education.
About the Global Teaching Award:

The Global Teaching Excellence Award (GTEA) is the first global award to celebrate and reward institutional commitment to the pursuit of teaching excellence in higher education and is open to all public and private sector universities and other providers of higher education.

About the Global Teaching Award:

The Global Teaching Excellence Award (GTEA) is the first global award to celebrate and reward institutional commitment to the pursuit of teaching excellence in higher education and is open to all public and private sector universities and other providers of higher education.