Monash wins national awards for teaching excellence

Professor Zlatko Skrbiš, Professor Christina Mitchell,
Associate Professor Claire Palermo, Professor Margaret Gardner

Monash staff took home three awards in this year’s prestigious Australian Awards for University Teaching.

Monash President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AO gave the keynote address at last week’s awards, at which the University was recognised with awards for teaching excellence.

Associate Professor Claire Palermo and Associate Professor Simon Angus received Awards for Teaching Excellence, which were presented by Federal Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham.

Claire leads the teaching and learning research theme in the Department Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, is a Monash Education Academy Fellow, and received at National government citation award for her contributions to teaching in 2016.

An accredited dietician, Claire’s research is dedicated to developing a workforce that’s equipped to address the complex nutrition issues facing our populations.

Simon is a complexity and data scientist with a strong interest in technology and innovation, working on diverse areas which range from developing models of tumour progression to sustainable development.

Monash’s Mastering Academic and Research Skills (MARS) program was recognised with an Award for Programs that Enhance Learning in the ‘Student experiences and services supporting learning, development and growth in higher education’ category.

The MARS team, based at the Monash Business School, is led by Josephine Hook and includes Nell Kimberley, Leanne McCann, Damien Gleeson, Anne Taib, Andrew Dixon, David Horne and Erik Beyersdorf.

Professor Gardner said the awards demonstrated the University’s endeavour to advance world class standards of excellence and innovation in learning and teaching.

“Innovation is core to excellence in education, and Associate Professor Clare Palermo, Dr Simon Angus and the members of the MARS team have each made an invaluable contribution to helping Monash University build a reputation for excellence that is truly world class,” Professor Gardner said.

The awards recognise Australia’s most outstanding university teachers and programs, contributing to the quality of student learning and experience in higher education.