Monash BDI scientists honoured to receive student-nominated teaching awards
For the fourth year running, scientists from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) have been recognised for their outstanding teaching methods.
At the recent Monash Student Association (MSA) Teaching Awards evening, Mr Ari Pinar received the Outstanding Teaching Award for the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Professor Ramesh Rajan received the Above and Beyond Award for Monash University.
With all Faculty nominations for the MSA Outstanding Teaching Award coming from the School of Biomedical Sciences, the depth of quality teaching within the School is clearly evident.
Congratulations also to the four other staff nominated for the Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award: Mr Michael Leung, Dr Stuart Ellem, Dr Laura d’Andrea and Dr Nicholas Price.
The student-led event acknowledged exceptional educators from Monash University, selected from hundreds of lecturers and tutors nominated by their students. The number of nominations received demonstrates the desire of the student body to show their appreciation to staff members and to express gratitude for the teaching that has made a difference to their experience at Monash.
Award winners were chosen based on both the number and quality of the students’ nominations.
Mr Pinar’s nominees said: “Ari’s tutorials go beyond the content…he gives his students advice that is not only related to course-related areas, but also to personal development,” and “Through attending his tutorials, I have developed both my academic and personal skills in a way that no other teacher has ever achieved before.”
Mr Pinar said he was honoured to receive the award a second time, having also been the winner of this award in 2015.
"These awards represent an opportunity for students to identify teachers who have had a positive impact on them, teachers who inspire them to learn. I've always wanted to be that teacher for my students, so I am proud and humbled to receive this award," Mr Pinar said.
The Above and Beyond award recognises staff members who have exceeded the requirements of their role to provide students with a truly exceptional learning experience.
Recipient Professor Rajan’s nominees said: “Ramesh is the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to lectures,” and “There is honestly no lecturer or staff member I have come across who is able to teach the way Ramesh does.”
Indeed, this year marks the fourth year running that Professor Rajan has received an award at the MSA Teaching Awards. As one student noted:
“The reason so many of his students absolutely idolize him is because he emails students personally to congratulate them on good performance on a test. Not just as a once off either! ……It was in his unit that I achieved my highest ever score and I believe it was because he was there to encourage me.”
MSA Teaching Awards recipients: Mr Ari Pinar (far left of front row) and Professor Ramesh Rajan (far right of front row)