Charles Sturt University (CSU) has some of Australia’s outstanding university teachers who were recognised last week for their dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm as winners of the 2006 Carrick Australian Awards.

 

Thirteen CSU staff were awarded for their excellence in teaching, including Heather Latham, Margaret Hamilton, and Jan Manners who will receive a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at a special ceremony in Sydney on August 8.

 

Ms Latham, along with Ms Manners and Ms Hamilton, received their Citation for excellence in the development and evaluation of an outreach model facilitating access and success at university for groups suffering educational and social disadvantage. The outreach model targets Enrolled Nurses in rural and regional areas to study and upgrade their qualifications to become Registered Nurses.

 

“We were delighted that our work was acknowledged in this way. It is work we feel passionate about because we see the importance of supporting people in rural and regional areas who are educationally disadvantaged,” said Ms Latham.

 

Dr Mir Rabiul Islam’s citation, for engaging students in their learning and enhancing student satisfaction through innovative and comprehensive on-line teaching of psychology at a regional university reflects his passion for providing support and guidance to first year students studying via distance education. Dr Islam earlier this year received the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for 2005.

 

Associate Professor David McKinnon, Ms Lena Danaia and Mrs Vicki Parkes were successfully nominated for building innovative primary science classroom practice through pre-service teacher immersion in a problem-based, collaborative learning experience, while Dr Danny Bedgood, Dr Paul Prenzler, Dr Andrea Bishop, Mr William Adlong and Dr Danielle Ryan received their Citation for development, examination and dissemination of a reflective practice model leading to good practice in improving student learning environment.

 

Associate Professor Lindy McAllister is part of a team from three Universities who received the Citation for the development of a valid and reliable national workplace competency assessment for speech pathology students.

 

Professor Ross Chambers, CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) praised the staff saying “these Awards are especially important as they reflect our long tradition of excellent service in providing pathways to higher education for regional Australians.”

 

He also commented that it was pleasing that CSU was recognised for its work in teaching the sciences at university level in regional NSW.