UOW academic tops state in teaching excellence

Dec 06, 2005

The University of Wollongong's status as number one in the country for teaching and learning performance has been reinforced yet again, with Associate Professor Roger Lewis from the Faculty of Engineering being recognised as one of the state's most outstanding teachers.

Professor Lewis was one of nine NSW academics to receive a Quality Teaching Award at a ceremony at Government House last Friday (2 December).

The Australian College of Educators and Minister for Education Quality Teaching Awards are presented annually. The selection process involves each teacher submitting a portfolio and undergoing a rigorous investigation by the award team that visits the teacher's classroom and interviews parents, students and colleagues.

NSW Education Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, presented the awards to recipients working in early childhood, government and non-government schools, TAFE NSW Institutes and NSW Universities.

"Quality teaching is at the heart of our education system, and these award winners reflect that," Ms Tebbutt said. "Great teachers inspire, encourage, and challenge their students.

"These awards highlight the dedication and professionalism of our teachers. They're a fitting way to highlight some of the talented people across the range of teaching institutions."

While Professor Lewis is an accomplished teacher his primary academic activity is research within UOW's Institute for Superconductivity and Electronic Materials (ISEM). He was recently awarded a 2006-2008 ARC Discovery Grant to investigate “High Efficiency Terahertz Emitters”. He is also the first-named investigator on a 2006 ARC LIEF Grant “Enhancing Australia's Terahertz Infrastructure”.

Professor Lewis is described by his colleagues as a modern day academic who recognises the equal importance of the teaching of his discipline and the research that underpins it.

Professor Steve Dinham from UOW's Faculty of Education chaired the awards and said that through his own reflective practice, Professor Lewis continually strives to improve his classroom teaching and to share his ideas with others.

”Roger is seen as a leader who is collegial and has achieved outstanding success through a strong sense of teamwork,” he said.

“He has demonstrated a sustained interest in education over many years and fostered a close working relationship with members of faculties other than his own, especially the Faculty of Education.”

This award is not the first formal recognition of excellence in teaching that Professor Lewis has received. Earlier this year he was presented with a UOW Vice-Chancellor's award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning (OCTAL).